LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

i^itjGvV- §mm¥ lullBi 
Shelf ..."P.Sl^ 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



CLAY PIGEON 

AND 

WING SHOOTING 




KILLIYERYFAIRWINGSHOT 



HUNTING, SHOOTING, GUN ACCIDENTS, NEW TRAP-SHOOTING 
RULES, HANDICAPPING, Etc. 



B^ QWYNNE PRICB, 

ENGLISH CHAMPION WING SHOT, 1875. 



PRICE 25 CENTS. 



orE'l'iCiE: o:f 



269 South Clark Street, Chicago, Ills. 




TO SPORTSMEN 

And all others who take en Interest iri Guns and Gocd Sporting: 

From my acquaintance with the above class of people, I have learned that 
their greatest desire is to have a strong and even-shooting gun; and in order to 
obtain this, many of them nave spent a great deal of time and money, and, often- 
times, not only time and money have been thrown ,away, but their barrels have 
been nearly or quite ruined by the incapacity of the parties to whom they have 
intrusted them, and who claim to have some system of long or short choke that 
will make every gun shoot close and even. 

In view of the above facts I have secured the services of several of the best 
known mechanics, who have made a life study of Reaming Gun Barrels for special 
purposes, and who have learned from experience that but few barrels are just alike, 
andean not be treated alike to accemplish the same end. 

Having secured the commodious and centrally-located store, 269 South Clark 
Street, I have doubled my facilities, and am now prepared to adjust and reann 
Gun Barrels scientifically for long range, hard, close and even shooting; also to do 
all kinds of repairing, putting in new Barrels, Restocking, Bending Stocks and 
Browning, in the best manner, at reasonable prices. 

If work is not satisfactory, I will make it so without extra charge. 

I can furnish hundreds of references from leading Sportsmen of the country. 

I do all my work with skilled labor, and ream gun barrels only by steam 
power, with the best approved machinery known, and make a perfect taper choke, 
which is impossible to be done by ha-nd. 

I take this opportunity of thanking my patrons of the past year for their ap- 
preciation of my endeavors to please them by doing good work, and hope for a con- 
tinuation of their patronage in the future. 

Write for particulars and get prices. 

WM. V. MILLINGTON, 
269 South Clark Street, Chicago, Ills. 



CLM PIGEON SND¥ING SHOOTING, 



THE GUN UND H0¥ TO USE IT. 



Advice to Young Sportsmen on Hunting, Shooting and Pre- 
vention OF Accidents with Guns. New Rules for Clat 
Pigeon and Ground Trap Shooting. Objections to 
Plunge-Trap and Class Shooting. Instructions 
■ for Handicapping, Care of Pigeons, Etc. 



GWYNNE PRICK, 

English Champion Wing Shot, 



Contested with Capt. Bogardus for Championship of the World Gold 

Medal, in England, 1875, and at Indianapolis and St. Louis, 

1876, and Defeated him at St. Louis in 1880. 



r~^ ____ . m/\Y 29 1884/ 



I=>I^ICE, 25 CElsTTS. 



'^lAY 29 188^ 






Mailed Free, for Stamps, Gwynne Price,, Binkelville, St. Louis, Mo. 



^n,^j..„j. . j AMFEICAN NEWS CO., NEW YOBK. 
wnoiesaie.<^gr^^ j^q^j^ 2^;eWS CO., ST. LOUIS, MO. 



Copyright, 1884, by Gwynne Price. 



(rVlli- 



Preface. 



'<-THE GUN AND HOW TO USE IT, ^rC," was published about two 
years since, and was intended to afford instruction to young and inexperi- 
enced gunners only. Nearly twelve thousand copies have been distributed 
throughout the United States and Canada, and more than six hundi'ed 
complimentary letters have been received, showing that it was appre- 
ciated. 

The primary object of its publication, as may be gathered from the 
strong views expressed on the subject, was to bring about a radical 
change in Pigeon Trap-Shooting — to show the necessity of a better supply 
of live pigeons — and to advocate the total abolition of the iniquitous and 
delusive system of Class shooting. 

I regret that my efforts have only partially succeeded in that direc- 
tion, although I tind such an under-current of public opinion on the 
subject that another season will bring about an altered state of things. 
It is only kept up now by the promoters of tournaments, who get them 
up for all the money there can he made out of it. 

The birds supplied for the season of 1883, were much worse than ever 
before, as regards condition. In some instances tournaments Avere post- 
poned indefinitely and the birds returned upon the dealers hands; in 
others, dead and half-starved birds were trapped, causing great dissatis- 
faction; the only wonder being that the Humane Society did not 
interfere where wounded birds were left ungathered. 

Thanks, however, to the introduction of the Clay Pigeon, no diffi- 
culty need now be experienced in getting the finest possible practice in 
Wing Shooting at a cheap rate, more pai-ticularly so, whenever it becomes 
well understood. 

In this little book I have endeavored to give some of ray ideas on 

Clay Pigeon Shooting, and also some New Bules, which I think will be 

found of use and aid in making this sport popular. 
»• 

GwYNNE Price. 



CLSY PIGEON AND WING SHOOTING. 



The first and principal object of Trap-Shooting should be the 
attainment of the nearest approach to perfection in the enjoyable 
and healthful recreation of Field shooting on the Wing. 

No doubt, the practice obtained from the flight of the live 
pigeon, when flushed in a natural manner from a grotind trap, is 
the best, but the difficulty of getting pigeons, whether wild or 
taine, in good condition, as well as the high price now paid for 
them, renders it a necessity that artificial means should be resorted 
to. 

An inanimate object, propelled by mechanical means, is much 
cheaper, and naturally suggests itself as the only resource obtain- 
able ; but until very recently no invention has been made of 
sufficient utility to answer the purpose properly. 

Every game bird is found upon the ground, and on being 
moved, makes an upward or rising flight, pi'esenting, conse- 
quently, the rhost difficult of all shots, particulai'ly so if slightly 
quartering. It is therefore a necessity, in order to become pro- 
ficient as a wing shot, that a style of motion the nearest appro ach- 
ing to the ordinary flight of a bird, should always be used in 
practice. 

Pigeons jerked from a plunge trap are generally shot at when 
falling, and the same may be said of glass balls thrown from 
most traps, such motion is therefore diametrically opposed to 
field shooting. Instead of such practice being beneficial in pro- 
ducing good field shots, it is exactly the reverse, for at game 
nearly every shot is a rising one. 

Clay pigeon shooting, when the traps are set to throw the 
birds in every direction of quartering and straight-away slightly 
rising shots, is the only invention to the present time combining 



IV 



every element necessary to make fine game shots ; and where the 
traps are set according to instructions and properly handled, 
will produce every style of shooting in imitation of the.bird itself, 
of which it is the best possible substitute. • 

The clay pigeon and the trap which propels it at a terrific 
pace, are both the invention of Mr. George Ligowsky, of Cin- 
cinnati, who is a really representative sportsman and lover of a 
gun. He has worthily earned, not merely the barren honor of 
being the first to discover so good a substitute for live pigeon 
shooting, but he will undoubtedly reap a^ substantial reward in 
the near future. 

Mr. Ligowsky has also, in experimenting in the manufacture 
of the clay saucer or pigeon, found a means by which pottery 
of any description can be moulded and shaped by machiner}', 
instead of the hitherto only known method of hand labor, thereby 
ensuring great regularity. 

In the early time of shooting at this funny substitute for a bird, 
complaints were pretty general that, although a saucer may have 
been struck by many shots, oftimes it was not broken^ which 
may however, have arisen from other causes than irregularity of 
thickness of the clay; such as -want of penetration from insuffi- 
cient or bad ■powder or wads, or from shells being imperfectly 
loaded with improper proportions of ammunition. Latterly,, 
however, there has been such regularity in the manufacture of 
the clays, that if not broken when struck, the cause may be looked 
for elsewhere. 

Having been for nearly fifty years an ardent lover of field 
sports and trap shooting, and having expended probably more 
money in pigeons than any person now living, and never having 
until recently shot at an inanimate object from a trap, I must 
confess to having felt a great objection to both glass balls and 
clay pigeons when first introduced, because I saw that the motion 
of the glass ball was injurious to wing practice, except that of 
course, it drew attention to the necessity of making certain cal- 
culations, and it also helped to give steadiness to the nerves in 
public shooting. 

My first experience with the clay pigeon, about two years 
since, was an unfortunate one, as dampness from a drizzling raia 



all day caused the the tips or handles to become loose in nearly 
€very instance, and the traps being handled by a novice^ acted so 
annoyingly that I gave it up in disgust, and did not see any more 
clays shot at until last summer. 

From the few f roper shots I saw made I was satisfied that the 
principle was correct; and having since had opportunity of see- 
ing some shooting properly managed, I am satisfied now that it 
IS the thing of the future^ and that it will be very extensively in 
use this season. 

Shooting from five traps, the plan I have very strenuously 
advocated, is certain to be generally adopted by representative 
sportsmen, and I notice the Ligowsky Co. offer special induce- 
ments in lowering the price of the traps in sets of five, or to 
complete the set. I hope, however, that the cost will be still 
further reduced, as I fail to see the necessity of throwing the 
birds at different elevations ; as if thrown at an elevation of about 
20 feet at 40 yards from the trap, so thatonly the edge is exposed 
to the charge, it is certainly all required. 

A record of 90 in 100, at 15 yards rise, in the third notch, with 
an elevation of 75 degrees, which presents almost a full view of 
the bird, and in which case the bird travels much slower^ so as 
to be almost stationary at 30 yards, is not equal to a score of 70 
with a good spring in the fourth notch and an elevation of 20 
degrees. 

For early practice I recommend short rises at clays, as they 
travel much faster than a bird, and make very difficult shooting at 
first ; a really good record can only be made with great quick- 
ness and accuracy of aim. 

I was present lately at a public exhibition given by a celebrated 
wshot, where the traps were so manipulated that it would be a 
farce to call it shooting, such as it was skill ; being somewhat 
equivalent to aiming at a miniature balloon at 30 yards ; the bird 
being thrown almost perpendicular, consequently meeting the 
wind, it was almost standing still. 

In any published report of a contest, in order to ascertain the 
degree of merit, a full account should be given of the number of 
traps ^ how far apart ^ what notch ^ elevatioti at 4.0 yards ^ and at 
what rise. Where these particulars are omitted the report is 



VI 



practically valueless, and is passed over as worthless by those 
most interested. 

A few poles 30 feet high at 40 yards from the traps will show 
at a glance if the elevation is correct. 

The following records may be intei'esting, if only for encourage- 
ment, and to show that great scores can be made with practice. 

Dr. Carver and Captain Bogardus gave twenty-five exhibitioa 
shoots under the auspices of the Clay Pigeon Company. Con- 
ditions: 100 birds each, 18 yards rise, English rules, use of both 
barrels, traps fourth notch, as follows : 





Carver. 


Bogardus. 


Chicago, 


- 


72 


- 


63 


St. Louis, 


- 


85 - 


- 


69 


Cincinnati, - 


- 


89 - 


- 


74 


Kansas City, 


- 


91 


- 


69 


St. Joseph, - 


- 


93 


- 


63 ■ 


Leavenworth, 


- 


85 ^ - 


- 


63 


Omaha, 


- 


94 


- 


90 


Council Bluffs, 


- 


96 - 


• - 


96 


Des Moines, 


- 


100 


- 


97 


Davenport, - 


- 


95 


- 


89 


Burlington, - 


- 


99 


- 


99 


Quincy, 


- 


100 


- 


93 


Peoria, 


- 


98 - 


- 


93. 


Terre Haute, 


- 


99 


- 


95 


Indianapolis, 


- 


98 - 


- 


97 


Dayton, O,, 


- 


94 


- , - 


94 ■ 


Columbus, - 


- 


76 - 


- 


93 


Pittsburg, 


- 


94 


- 


95 


Philadelphia, 


- 


96 - 


- 


95 


Jersey City, 


- 


98 - 


- 


94 


New Haven, 


- 


96 - 


- 


83 


Springfield, Mass., 


- 


96 - 


.. 


91 


Worcester, - 


- 


99 


- 


S& 


Providence, - 


- 


93 


- 


94 


Boston, 


- 


93 


- 


91 


Totals, 


- 


3337 


- 


3163 


Average : Carver, 93. 


Bogardus, 86. 







VII 

This shows an extraordinary high score, but it was not stated 
at what elevation the birds were thrown. It is, however, current- 
ly reported on the road^ that after the first few shoots, in which 
some indifferent scores were made, that the traps were changed 
for others with weaker springs, and that the birds were thrown 
at a very great elevation for a good high record. 

I have no desire to depreciate the performance of anyone, but 
would rather prefer to give more credit that was due, but feel 
obliged to take cognizance of statements made to me by men of 
integrity and ability. It is certainly remarkable that the scores 
in the latter part of the series were very different from the earlier 
ones. The Ligowsky Co. are very reticent, and appear to know 
nothing, or prefer, anyhow, to say nothing ; but time will tell if 
the form shown in exhibitions by celebrated shots will be main- 
tained in contests where the traps are handled by independent 
parties and set properly. 

Captain E. E. Stubbs and Gwynne Price have competed in eight 
exhibition matches, attempting to beat the records in the Carver- 
Bogardus contests. Conditions were the same, except at Logans- 
port, where some trees interfered, the birds were never thrown 
higher than 35 feet at 40 vards ; one of the matches was at 21 
and one at 25 yards rise. 





Stubbs. 


Price 


Paragould, Ark., - 


- 93 


- - 87 


Decatur, 111., - 


- 99 


- - 89 


Logansport, Ind., - 


- 100 


- - 97 


Fort Wayne, Ind., 


- 96 - 


- 88 


Pittsburg, 


- SS 


- 88 


u _ _ 


- 89 - 


- 86 


1( _ _ 


- 100 - • 


- 93 


u _ _ 


- 99 


- 93 



Totals, - - 764 720 

Average: Stubbs, 95. Gwynne Price, 90. 

The most extraordinary score recorded was that made by 
Captain Stubbs at a semi-private Press Exhibition, at the 
Madison Square Garden, New York City. With a 13 bore, *]\ 
lb. Greener Gun and American Wood Powder, \\ oz. No. 8 



VIII 

Chilled Shot, he broke five clays straight, at 45 yards rise, one 
barrel, all broken at over 60 yards. He also scored 30 in suc- 
4;ession, at 35 yards rise, using second barrel twice only. 

In a match at Pittsburg, 21 yards rise^ 75 birds each, Stubbs 
scored 73, Price 69. 

It will be noticed that the scores of Stubbs and Price, in their 
eight shoots, are 193 ahead of the first eight of the Carver-Bogardus 
contests. 

Both Captain Stubbs and Gwynne Price shot with 10 bore, 9 
lb. guns, made expressly for them by W. W. Greener, and often 
birds at 35 and 40 yards were shattered into mere smoke, no 
fragments being visible. 

At Pittsburg, Captain Stubbs scored 150 without a miss, with 
one of the Westley Richards' 10 bore guns ; and Gwynne Price 
'broke 6^ straight with a 13 bore, 8 lb. gun, of the Pittsburg Fire 
Arms Co.'s make. 

Some very fine shooting has been made by Mr. Bell, of Pittsburg, 
a splendid shot, and an extraordinary performance is copied from 
the Nashville American into the America^i Field, of Mr. Andy 
Meaders, of Nashville, who is said to have broken 97 in 100, the 
other 3 also hit, at 18 yards rise, 4 traps, 4th notch, using one 
hand only. Mr. S. A Tucker was said to have been present. 
Feeling a little dubious of the accuracy of this statement, I wrote 
to Mr. Meaders for confirmation of the account, but as he did 
not condescend even the courtesy of a reply to my letter, it 
more than ever ccmvinces me that there is a reason for his 
silence. 

I just hear that Capt9.in Stubbs has, in a private trial, broken 
395 clays in 500, at 15 yards rise, 3rd notch, with a Kennedy 
Rijle, using yull regulation factory cartridges, breaking 92 in 
the last lOO. 



IX 



Loading. 



The subject of loading has been of late so well ventilated in 
the sporting press, that it is scarcely necessary to refer to it, but 
that every one seems to have a hobby of his own, or some specialty 
to recommend ; I propose simply to give my own experience, 
based upon the opinion, that as a maximum charge of ij oz. of 
shot is allowed in most contests, it is advisable to load so that 
your gun will do the best execution with that charge, for common 
sense dictates that the more shot you can use without sacrifice of 
penetration, the better. 

Guns of lo and i3 bore will be used by every man of discrim- 
ination and judgment, and my advice is to load with i^ oz. of 7 
or 8 chilled shot, and by careful experiments find out the heaviest 
charge of powder that each particular gun will shoot that quantity 
of shot withotit loss of pattern, by which means the best chances 
of success will be assured. 

By using chilled shot a greater number of pellets can be had 
so that full measure of Dixon's 1 106 can be used for same weight. 
Greater penetration will also be made. A small quantity of 
antimony with the lead in chilled shot is said to make the shot 
harder and lighter. 

Ordinarily a 10 bore gun, weighing 9 or 10 lbs., will shoot 4J 
to 5 J drams of powder; and a i3 bore gun 3 J to 5 drams of 
powder, if 8 lbs. to 9 lbs. weight. I saw some good work done 
recently M^ith a 10 bore, 11 pound gun, with 8 drams of powder; 
but I am in favor of restricting guns in matches to not exceeding 
10 lbs. and 10 bore ; and I would allow 2 yards distance to I3 
bore guns if using only i 1-8 of shot. 

In double barrel shooting, the advantage of using the American 
Wood powder at all events in the first barrel, is so obvious that 



X 



it is almost unnecessary to refer to it, except for the few who 
may not have seen it. 

Some good judges and prominent shots will insist that the 
Wood powder is slower than the black, and therefore they use as 
a primer, about half a dram of the black powder. Out of defer- 
ence to those opinions, I have used it so loaded sometimes, but 
have failed to realize the advantages. Certainly most of the best 
scores I have made and seen, were with the Wood powder, pure 
and simple ; and even a small quantity of black must, in some 
degree, produce smoke and fouling. 

With the Wood powder I should not wipe out my gun in a 
match at lOO birds, but always blow through the barrels after 
each shot, and occasionally dip the muzzle in water. There is 
an indescribable sort of greasiness in using Wood powder which, 
keeping the barrel moist, prevents caking. 

As was the case with the original yellow Dittmar, so with the 
Wood powder ; it requires great confinement by ramming and wad- 
ding, and the agents for it. Von Lengerke & Detmold, of New 
York, who have had great experience with it, give explicit directions 
for its proper use. Mr. Von Lengerke, a practical man and one 
of the best amateur shots in the country, has made some wonder- 
ful shooting with the Wood powder in public contests ; and I 
strongly advise my readers to try a few shells loaded by his firm 
if they wish to give the powder a fair trial . 

There is no saving in using cheap powder or wads, and the best 
way I find, is to use a dry Baldwin wad and one of the thick felt 
or two pink edge wads on powder. A thin wad is sufficient on 
shot with a crimped paper shell ; but if brass shells I advise a 
thin paper wad and then a Baldwin wad upside down, which, 
presenting a rough edge upwards, will prevent the wad starting. 
I have seldom found the shot loosen when loaded in this way ; 
but as a precaution in using brass shells, it is well, whenever the 
first barrel only is fired, to change the shell from second barrel 
into the first for next shot, and in doing so observe that the wad 
is firm on shot, and if not,, press it down with the thumb. Brass 
shells should always be carried shot upwards in the belt. 

Wads should be firmly pressed down, and if Wood powder, 
should be tapped with a mallet, using an extra wad over powder 



XI 

if length of shell will admit. It must not be hammered so as to 
bulge the shell, but the more the powder is confined by close 
fitting wads, the better will be the shooting. 

For clay pigeon shooting, I prefer fine grain powder as being 
quickest, and No. 8 chilled shot at i8 yards rise, with an ordinary 
cylinder or moderately choked gun, but with an exceptionally 
close shooting gun No. 7, or even No. 6 shot, may perhaps ansv^er 
well ; but as a rule, I think, as the clay pigeon is now made, No. 
8 shot is heavy enough. 

I have noticed many inquiries in the Sporting Press as to the 
best method of removing lead and caking from gun barrels. 
Choke bore guns are most particularly liable to this very serious 
impediment to good shooting, getting caked at muzzle as well as 
breech, which is solely caused by the saltpetre in the powder. 

It is claimed that washing out with rag and coal oil will remove 
it, but it is a great mistake, for oil has little effect upon saltpetre ; 
but if the barrels are put breech downward in a pail and plenty 
of boiling water poured into them until very heated, a brush or 
rag will clear it away instantly with the gun rod. 

The Wood powder does not foul in the same manner, because 
it is free from saltpetre ; and out in the field or where hot water 
is not obtainable, afew shots with the Wood powder occasionally, 
will clear away the fouling. 

I made over 600 shots in exhibition matches at Pittsburg, using 
Wood powder, and never wiped out the barrels, which did not 
appear more foul than after the first shot ; occasionally the muzzle 
was dipped in water to cool the barrels. 

Some prominent shots go as far as to assert that certain guns 
will shoot one size of shot better than another. I do not believe 
in it until it comes to the large sizes, where, undoubtedly, it is 
better for it to chamber properly. Let them, however, ride that 
hobby or any other that will inspire confidence if for nothing 
else, for in public shooting especially, a stock of it is an advantage. 

In illustration of this I may mention an experience of my own : 
About 10 years since I was contending in an optional sweepstake, 
50 or 100 dollars each, at the Junior Gun Club, London, England. 
The first prize was a gold cup, value 500 dollars and cash 350 



XII 

dollars ; 150 dollars to second and 100 to third ; 25 pigeons each, 
at 25 yards rise first day, and 25 at 30 yards rise second day. 

Previously to this time I had contended in many sweepstakes 
where the first prize was 500 dollars and upwards at equal 
distances, and I had succeeded in winning every one. In the 
first days' shooting I stood second with a score of 19 ; and as the 
man ahead of me was not considered equal to myself at 30 yards, 
I thought, bar accident, that I must win. 

The maker of my gun, who was present, and felt interested in 
my chance of winning, had been observing my shooting critically , 
and thinking that the gun was scattering a little, asked me to 
allow him to take it to the workshop, make a little alteration and 
return it in the morning. 

The next day he insisted upon my seeing it targetted before 
the match, as he had much improved it ; when much to my dis- 
gust, it was anything but what it should have been. The conse- 
quence was that / lost all cojtjidence^ and it undoubtedly cost me 
the loss of the stake also, for I made a very poor score ; and ever 
since I have made up my mind to "let well alone" and allow 
others to try experiments. 

The system of handicapping is the only true method of giving 
a moderate shot a chance of winning, and is becoming general 
in really first-class clubs. It is fully described in a separate 
chapter further on ; but in clay pigeon shooting, the distance 
should range from 12 to 25 yards, which will be sufficient 
difference to bring the best and worst upon a level ; whereas 
class shooting is simply "a delusion and a snare" — a very nice 
arrangement of the clever few to induce an inferior shot to believe 
that he can hold his own against them. A careful reading of 
the remarks on that subiect will convince them of the absurdity 
of such ideas. 

Sportsmen, fond of field pursuits, seem naturally to feel a 
pleasure in taking life, consequently the shooting of live pigeons 
will to some extent be kept up ; but when we find that at most 
gatherings it is not once in ten times that anything approaching 
to good flying birds are supplied, and that even then they are six 
times at least more cost than the clay ; that the expense of hand- 
ling and trouble of feeding is dispensed with ; and also the great 



XIII 



uncertainty of the supply either of tame or wild birds — it is to be 
expected that in a year or two the clay will supersede the live 
bird shooting. 

No exception can be taken to the clays by the most fastidious 
on the plea of cruelty or inhumanity, and one of the greatest 
arguments in its favor is, that perfect equality in the birds is 
certain for each competitor, there being no incomers or non- 
flyers. 

It may not be the case to so great extent in Europe, and more 
especially in England, for although the birds may not be of a 
better breed, and no wild birds are to be got, still they are 
supplied in better condition and properly handled and trapped, 
so that seldom more than two or three in a hundred are refused 
for hanging on traps. 

The example of that first-class club, the Audubon, of Chicago,* 
in using the ground traps only, will be sure to be followed ; and 
the safest way to ensure having good birds is to refuse and not 
pay for, those unable to fly ; and the dealer will soon see the 
necessity of paying more attention to the condition of pigeons, 
and being satisfied with a little less profit than the exorbitant 
price now demanded gives them. 

This trouble with the birds has caused such a revulsion of feel- 
ing in favor of a good substitute, that in a few years perhaps, the 
stock of both wild and tame birds may be so increased that the 
price will be reduced and some good sport from ground traps be 
had. No one more than myself will be pleased to see it. 

In clay pigeon shooting, as the object is so much smaller than 
the body of a pigeon, it is a necessity to have a gun that not only 
shoots very closely, but also makes a very regular , pattern, and 
the ammunition and loading should be of the best. The object 
should be struck with the centre of the charge, for although it 
may have been hit on the edge with one or two pellets from the 
outer circle of the charge, which from collision have lost power, 
it may not be broken so as to be scored. The shooter then 
stands in the same position, as is very often the case when a live 
birds is wounded and manages to struggle over the boundary line, 
lam satisfied that in nearly every instance, when the clay pigeon is 



XIV 

hit and not broken, that it is more the fault of the shooter than 
anything else. 

Shooting from three or five traps is particularly to be advocated, 
as M^here only one trap is used, and the trapper has to alter the 
flight and elevation for each shot, however careful he may be, there 
w^ill be "kickers" ready to find fault if they miss a bird, and some 
are continually charging the trapper or puller with intentional 
favoritism. 

Where more than one trap is used no alteration is required, 
and if the instructions in my rules are carefully carried out, the 
most perfect equality of chances will be found for every shooter ; 
for by using a die as directed, an equal quantity of straight-away 
and quartering shots will be • had. In double bird shooting, by 
using the centre trap every time and one of the others, it will 
produce good practice and perfect equality ; and the birds must 
rise together if both strings are pulled by one hand. * 

I fail to see any necessity for screens behind the traps, it spoils 
the appearance of the grounds and looks so much like a circus 
performance ; for with a lively puller and good traps three or five 
}^ards apart, there will not be many birds shot at nearer than 50 
feet from the traps. Great precaution is necessary that the 
shooter cannot know the traps to be pulled, which can be done 
by placing the puller behind the level of the shooter, and having 
the strings where handled hidden by a screen of some kind 
between shooter and puller. 

No more particular instruction is necessary in shooting clay 
pigeons that would be required with live birds from a ground 
trap, if the clay is thrown at a proper elevation, but not half so 
much allowance need be made in either rising or falling shots as 
with glass balls. If the clay is thrown at an improperly high 
elevation, it meets the wind more fully, and consequently 
travels more slowly and is soon exhausted ; such practice requires 
very little skill, and is harmful, for it is no better than a sitting 
shot- 
Just before the clay falls it is almost stationary and presents a 
very easy shot, but it is generally at so great a distance that the 
shot having spread very much, it is not easily scored. It also 
falls more slowly than a glass ball, and requires very little under- 



XV 



shooting, for the glass ball being circular and smaller falls very 
quickly and requires a considerable allowance. 

The principal difference between the clay and live pigeon, 
which must be carefully kept in view, is, that whereas the speed 
of the clay is greatest on leaving the trap and decreases very con- 
siderable after about 25 yards; the live bird travels faster the 
further it goes until well out of danger. This is of great impoi*- 
tance to observe when shooting with the use of both barrels, 
because where it is necessary to shoot well ahead of a live bird 
if at all quartering, at a distance of 45 or 50 yards, the clay at 
the same place would be well nigh exhausted, and the aim then 
should be almost dead on. 

Every bird should be shot at within 15 yards, or certainly not 
over 20 yards from the trap, or the shot may have spread too 
much to make a dead certainty of breaking the clay, more par- 
ticularly if large sized shot is used. It is better to strike the 
object with three small sized shot and take chances of breaking 
it than to run the risk of missing it altogether ; small sized shot 
therefore is preferable, ttnless the gun shoots exceptionally close. 

I have mentioned in. another part of this book that the greatest 
secrect in wing shooting is, "never allow your gun to be brought 
upon a bird from above or before it, but always from behind if 
cross shots, or below if i^ising shots." I will add here: Never, 
under any circumstance in wing shooting, let the motion of 
the gun meet the object, but follow the exact line of the bird 
until sufficiently in front, and from above if falling shots, in 
which case a very small allowance should be made, as mentioned 
before at a falling clay. 

The most difficult of all shots is a slightly rising and also slightly 
quartering bird, as two awkward motions have to be provided 
for at the same time ; and in making the one it very often happens 
that a failure is made to exactly rneet the other. In clays more 
especially, the rapidity of the flight for the first 20 yards necessi- 
tates aiming well ahead in quartering shots, particularly so with 
right quarterers, as referred to. more fully further on in this book 
under a special diagram. Take care also ta keep your gun very 
firmly held in the hand, and perfectly level. 

In a few private trials and nine public matches, I have gained 



XVI 



the experience before mentioned. The result of the nine exhi- 
bition shoots, in which I shot at 875 clays, at various distances 
from 18 to 25 yards rise, 789 were scored. I made the most 
miserable failure in the two first private trials, until I fully 
realized the terrific pace at which the clays leave the trap, after 
which I made very good scores, and soon began to like the clay 
practice better than any I have ever had at live birds in this 
country. 

The plan I have suggested in rule 20, for signaling the result 
of each shot, will be found of great utility in large assemblies, 
saving much labor by giving notice in all parts of the ground 
almost instantaneously and with the greatest accuracy, whether a 
kill or a miss has to be scored. 

The introduction of the clay pigeon will be the means of ridding 
trap-shooting of its most objectionable elements, particularly those 
most relied upon by the fastidious humanitai'ians, cruelty and 
danger. The way to prevent further legislation to stop the 
shooting of live birds from the trap, is to have every bii'd gathered 
and killed before another is shot at, as this alone stayed the pass- 
ing of a bill in the English Legislature, for no cruelty could be 
proved, more than was constantly occurring in field shooting. 

Nooutside shooting or scouting should, under any circumstances, 
be tolerated, as more danger arises from outsiders shooting at 
wounded birds in the direction of the crowd round the shooters, 
than from the contestants, whose arms are only loaded at the 
mark. 

It is also urged that it is an unnecessary and wanton sacrifice 
of life for the purpose of sport, which is indeed farfetched, being 
nothing more than the killing of the birds for food, as in ordinary 
hunting and fishing. 

The question of danger does not arise in clay pigeon shooting 
at all, as the birds are thrown within a prescribed limit, none 
being turned toward the shooters, and no scouting need be appre- 
hended. 

There is no luck or chances of good or bad birds, so often the 
cause of dissatisfaction in live bird shooting, as the most perfect 
fairness and equality may be relied upon when the traps are 



XVII 

handled with knowledge and care ; and a strai^ht-away bird will 
be found as difficult as any, or perhaps even more so. 

A serious drawback to glass ball shooting has been the broken 
fragments of glass on lawns, shooting grounds and base ball parks ; 
whereas, with the clays a frost and a rain will cause the broken 
pieces to dissolve into dust. 

Some ladies feel great pleasure in hunting and fishiug excur- 
sions, and have no objection to seeing game killed in a legitimate 
manner, because wherever wounded it is gathered and killed at 
once, without lengthened and unnecessary suffering. Some even 
join in the pursuit' of game in the field, and there is no reason 
whatever why ladies of refined and cultured taste should not 
contest in games of skill with the rifle and shot gun, with the 
same spirit of rivalry, as they do now with the long bow at 
Archery Tournaments. Not a shadow of a pretext can be urged 
against it, and it is certain that the presence of ladies on a shoot- 
ing ground will command the greatest propriety ; and if the 
interest of the fair sex can be enlisted in this direction, there is no 
reason why shooting tournaments will not soon take the lead as 
the national amusement. 



XVIII 



Class Shooting. 



A few remarks on quite recent experience in class shooting. 
Eight shooters competed for a stake of 5 dollars each, 6 birds, 
class shooting. Six made a clear score of 6 each and divided 
first money, about 3J dollars each ; one killed one only and 
received second, i3 dollars; and one missed all and took third 
prize, 8 doIlai"s. Now if one of those who killed all, had inten- 
tionally inissed one bird he would have gotten the 1 3 dollars, and 
if another had missed two he also would have secured 8 dollars 
by a fraud ; but as each shot honestly and did his best, they only 
got back a little more than half the entrance money ; whereas, 
two shooters without a particle of a pretension to skill, took the 
most money in second and third prizes. 

This reminds one foixibly of donkey racing, where each jockey 
rides an opponent's donkey, and the one coming in last gets the 
race. Can absurdity be more absurd? 

I also saw at the same meeting a case which shows how some- 
times a fraud, unintentionally committed, works an injustice upon 
outside parties. In a stake of 15 entries, same conditions as 
mentioned above, the i-'esult was as follows: 

A, mill F, iiiiio K, oioiii 

iioioi L, OIOIII 

001 1 II M, 001 II I 

oiiioi N, iiooio 

001 1 II O, iioooo 

A casual glance at the score will show that at the 6th round F, 
who was an old hand at the game, could see by carefully watch- 
ing the score, that if he killed his bird he would be in a hot 
corner with five good shots to shoot off. for first mone}^ ; or, if 
he divided he would barely save his entrance fee, but if he inten- 
tionally missed the bird he must take the second money with a 
score of five, as all the others had missed two or more ; so he had 
only to let his gun Jar off^ or, in other words, to do a robbery, 
and he pocketed 22^ dollars. 



B, 


mill 


G, 


c, 


III I II 


H, 


D, 


mm 


I, 


E, 


mm 


J^ 



XIX 



Now, the worst has to come. There was considerable betting 
and pool selling on the match, and F, who was known to be a 
gentleman and a fine shot, had been freely backed to win first 
money ; and his feelings can be imagined when he was informed 
that his most intimate friend and companion had lost a very con- 
siderable sum of money in betting on the result, having backed 
him to win. If he had thought of the injury he was causing to 
innocent and confiding parties, he would not have been guilty of 
such a fraudulent act, and he was exceedingly sorry for it after- 
wards. 

At the same tournament I saw several birds dead when thrown 
from the traps, and if the shooters had fired when the dead body 
was in the air, they would have had a dead bird scored to them. 

I had the pleasui'e of meeting there several ardent lovers of 
trap shooting, who were aware of my efforts to make the sport 
what it ought to be ; but they said they all desired a radical 
chano-e, and they felt sure that it must come in a short time, as 
soon as the majority of shooters had their attention drawn to the 
subject of class shooting. 




English Style Holding- Gun. 
Five Ground Traps. 



American Style Holding Gun. 
Plunge Trap. 




MM Opiois of IliB Press 



ON THE 



Clay Pigeon 



[From Forest and Stream, New York.] 
a ^ * * This flight SO nearly resembles the actual motion 
of the birds, that the Clay Pigeons afford excellent practice for 
wing shooting. We commend all sportsmen to test its merits." 



[From American Field, New York and Chicago.] 
u * * * yIq Iqq[ -yyarranted in saying that the use of this 
new invention will largely fill the void in trap-shooting made by 
the scarcity of the wild pigeon." 



[From Turf, Field and Farm, New York.] 
"The flight of the projectile — which is saucer shaped — is much 
like that of the quail, and therefore preferable to glass balls for 
practice. As the clay "birds" soon become broken and mingled 
with the dirt, no damage can ensue, as is often the case with 
broken glass balls." 

[From The Field, London, England.] 
"This appears to us to be the best plan hitherto brought out of 
affording the tyro a cheap method of learning to shoot either in 
public or private." 

[From The Illustrated London JVews, London, England,] 
"It is immensely superior to the gyro pigeon, or any other 
substitute for the live bird, and is sure to meet with great favor 
from those who wish to become good game shots." 

\^Bogardus Says.'] 
"Clay pigeons are by far a superior article for the sportsman, 
the use of which perfects one rapidly as a wing shot." 

SEND FOR CIRCULARS TO 

THE LIGOWSKY CLAY PIGEOF CO., 

^. O. Box 1292. CINCINNATI, OHIO, U. S. A. 



RULES 

FOR 

CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING 

FROM 

ONE, THREE AND FIVE TRAPS. 

BY 

St. Louis, Mo. 



Rule i. Referee. The referee having been accepted by the 
contestants, his decision upon all questions shall be absolittely 
final. He shall, however, be allowed to ask the opinion of two 
or three disinterested spectators before giving his decision, if he 
has a reasonable doubt. 

Rule 3. Traps. The traps shall be set in a line or semi- 
circle, numbered left to right, at an agreed notch^ and to throw 
the birds at not greater than an elevation of 20 feet at 40 yards 
from the traps. A screen may be placed behind each trap, and 
a 15 yards circle shall be marked by stakes in front of the traps. 

Rule 3. One Trap. The elevation and horizontal flight of 
the birds shall be fairly changed by trapper for each shot. 

Rule 4. Three Traps. The traps shall be set 6 yards apart. 
The centre trap in front of the shooter, shall be set to throw 
straight-away birds. The No. i trap to throw right half-quar- 
ter ers^ and the No. 3 trap left halfquarterers. On the die, i 
and 2 shall denote the No. i trap ; Nos. 3 and 4, trap No. 2 ; Nos. 
5 and 6, No. 3 trap. 



Rule 5. Five Traps. The traps shall be set 4 yards apart. 
Nos. I and 4 to throw right half-quarterers ; Nos. 2 and 5 to 
throw left half-quarterers^ and No. 3, drivers. On the die, 
Nos. 3 and 6 shall denote centre trap ; to secure equal chances for 
quartering and driving shots. 

Rule 6. Double Rises. The centre trap shall be used every 
shot — the second trap decided by wads i, 3, 4 and 5, or die, 
Nos. 3 and 6 not being counted. Both strings shall be pulled with 
07ie hand only. The distances shall be 3 yards nearer than single 
rises. Both birds shall be scored if broken by one shot. If either 
bird falls within the 15 yards, the shooter may, at his option, 
claim another y?^// rise. 

Rule 7. Entry. No entry can be made after \\\& first bird 
in the second round has been shot at, unless the person shall have 
arrived too late to enter at proper time ; in which case an entry 
may be made up to the end of second rounds by consent of majority 
of the contestants. More than one chance may be taken if no 
added money or prize is given. Absence of more than ' five 
minutes will entail disqualification, unless Referee should allow 
it as excusable. 

Rule 8. Pulling. When the shooter calls "Pull," the trap 
shall be instantly sprung, or the bird may be refused. If pulled 
without notice, or more than one bird is loosed, if the shooter 
fires, he must abide by the consequences. If he fails to shoot 
when the trap is properly pulled^ it must be scored a lost bird. 

Rule 9. Distance. The rise shall be 15 or 18 yards for 
single and 12 or 15 yards for double rises, or bya handicap of 
12 to 25 yards according to merit. If a contestant shoots at less 
than the proper distance he shall have another bird if he kills, but 
if he misses it shall be scored lost. A winner or divider of 10 
dollars or more shall go back one yard for every such win dztring 
that day, and if he is standing at the 25 yards limit, all the others 
shall ^0 in one yard. 

Rule 10. Gtm size. Breech-loading guns 07zly shall be 
allowed, not larger than 10 bore and 10 pounds in weight. Guns 
of 12 bore and less allowed 2 yards if using i 1-8 oz. shot. 



Rule ii Gun holding. The Referee shall see that the gun 
is held fairly below the shoulder^ inside or in front of the arm 
until the shooter calls '■'•Ptill.^^ If this rule is infringed and the 
bird is killed the Referee shall order another bird shot at. 

Rule 12. Gun loading. Charge of powder unlimited. 
Shot shall not exceed i 1-4 ounce, Dixon's measure, 1106 for 10 
bore guns, or i 1-8 for 12 bore and under. No concentrators or 
other substance than powder, shot and wads allowed. 

Rule 13. Challenge. Contestants only may, after deposi- 
ting 5 dollars, request the Referee to examine the loading of a 
shooter as he goes to the score. If the charge is proper, the 
shooter shall receive the 5 dollars deposited ; but if illegal, he shall 
be disqualified. 

Rule 14. Danger. If a bird is thrown so that to shoot in 
-proper time would endanger life orproperty, the Referee shall, if 
requested, allow another bird whether the gun was fired or not. 
Closing a gun before going to the score, or failing to open it 
before leaving the mark, will subject shooter to penalty of one 
dollar. 

Rule 15. Miss-fire, etc.. If, a miss-fire occur through any 
fault of shooter, it shall be a lost bird; but if gun was properly 
loaded and cocked, it shall be a no bird, at shooter's cost. If the 
second barrel miss-fire, another bird shall be allowed, and the 
first barrel fired properly at the bird, but with powder only, 
except in double rise shooting ; if first barrel miss-fire iind the 
second be used, the bird shall be scored. If two barrels are fired 
at same time and the bird killed, another bird shall be shot at, 
but if missed it shall be a lost bird. 

Rule 16. Shot marks. No bird shall be examined for shot 
marks, but shall be scored lost unless the Referee sees it distinctly 
broken in the air. If he has any doubt he may either order 
another bird or refer for opinions, as per Rule i. 

Rule 17. Bird imperfect. If a bird is broken by the trap 
it shall in any case be a no bird, unless the handle only shall be 
left in the trap. If a bird falls within the 15 yards circle, if 
broken, it shall be scored ; but if missed, it shall be a no bird. 



Rule iS. Division. Stakes shall be divided into three 
prizes, of 50, 30 and 20 per cent., after deducting cost of birds, 
for the three best shots. If an entry of 20 or more shooters, into 
four prizes, of 40, 30, 20 and 10 per cent. All tie birds to be 
deducted from full money before division. 

Rule 19. Ties. If a tie in a private match, the bet is off. 
All other ties shall be shot off at same time., same 7iumber oi birds 
and conditions^ unless a majority should agree otherwise, and 
shoot miss and otit, or divide. If a postponement should take 
Tp\a.ce^ J'rd7n any cause^ any contestant may depute a;z(?/,^er in the 
ties to shoot for him, if it is not convenient to attend again. 

Rule 20. Signaling score. The Referee shall have two 
flags, red and white. If a kill, he shall raise the red flag ; if a 
miss, the -white flag. In double rises the red flag denotes two 
kills, the w/5zV^flag two misses; a kill and a miss the red flag 
above white; a miss and a kill, the white ^2i^ above red. A 
no-bird, both flags down. 

Rule 21. Fines. A fine of one . dollar shall be strictly 
charged for : Use of bad language. — Ungentlemanly conduct. — 
Incautious handling of firearms. — Interference with shooter at 
score. — Remarks intended to influence decision of Referee, — and 
Insulting behavior to any person on the ground. 



THE GUN, 

And How to Use it to Kill Every Fair Wing Shot. 



Very few persons using the shot-gun that I have met with, 
seem to attach sufficient importance to the requirements neces- 
sary to make good wing practice, as their attention has not 
been drawn to the absolute necessity of carefully studying the 
allowance to be made in shooting for distance, Jlight^ -whidage, 
face and position, whether U7ider or over the level of the 
gun, etc., etc. 

It is generally thought that in order to ensure a kill you 
should be dead on the object ; but no greater mistake can be 
made, for unless your bird is going straigl^t away and on the 
same level as yourself, to be dead on really means to be dead off. 

My attention was never drawn so particularly to this subject 
until I began to shoot pigeons from a ground-trap. The birds 
if really good, generally fly very low, and it could easily be 
observed whether the shot struck above, beloxV, right or left of 
the mark; and as I shoot with both eyes open, I could see 
what was the reason if I missed, and it required very little 
common sense to adopt a remedy. 

The handling of a gun is to be compared only to the deli- 
cate manipulation of tlie strings or keys of a musical instrument, 
and can only be acquired artistically by those who are almost 
born to it. 

The earlier a gun is placed in the hands of a youth, the more 
likely is he to become expert, and such a proficient in the art 



4 

of shooting, as to feel the extraordinary sensations of pleasure 
experienced only by those who are able to excel in any profes- 
sion they engage in. 

As a rule the sportsman whose ordinary calling is of a 
light and delicate nature, is most likely to use his gun ele- 
gantly ; but it does not at all follow that he possesses the steady 
nerve so essential to a good shot. 

It is very easy to give instruction and advice on marksman- 
ship ; but there are times when the very best shots fail in car- 
rying out the system which they well know is requisite, and 
often shoot impulsively without being able to prevent it, well 
aware before the trigger is pulled that they will be sure to miss 
the object. 

Pigeon shooting from the trap is most excellent practice for 
a beginner, after he can handle his gun easily, particularly if 
he shoots before a crowd of people, as it steadies his nerves, 
and he can observe how the more accomplished gunners per- 
form ; but it is rather expensive amusement if indulged in often. 
Glass-ball shooting costs very little ; care should, however, be 
used in selecting the trap throwing the ball most like the flight 
of a bird. 

Many fine game shots are at first very deficient at the trap, 
simply because they are nervous in company; bvit I never yet 
saw a good trap shot that could not do fair execution in the 
field after very little experience. 

My readers must not suppose that I do not miss many shots ; 
but when I do, I am always ready to admit that it was my 
own fault, and not from a defect in the gun ; although I often 
hear shooters declare if they have missed, that they were dead 
on their bird, when I have noticed the shot was awfully wide 
of the mark, and they are ever ready with an excuse, blaming 
either the maker of their gun, or the quality of the powder. 

It is far easier, I candidly confess, to preach than to practice; 
and I would say to my friends in the language of a Clergyman 
m the old country, not possessed of a particularly high moral 
character : 

"jZ?(? as I say^ not as I do." 



Always use the very best of ammunition, powder and wads 
more especially ; the extra game killed will far more than com- 
pensate for the difference in cost— but remember use plenty of 
powder, 

A lO bore gun will take 5 drams of powder and i^ oz. of 
shot, without recoil; and a 12 bore 4 drams of powder and i^ 
oz. of shot, if of 9 or 10 lbs. weight, and held firmly in the 
hand. If your gun rebound unpleasantly, reduce the charge of 
shot a little. 

Soft felt wads will be found best for muzzle-loading guns, 
as they are more easily rammed down when the barrel becomes 
foul. 

I would most emphatically impress upon all young shots that 
with a moderately good gun a few yards in distance is of little 
consequence, and that it is far better to wait until you can get 
proper aim, than to fire random shots. 

A stray pellet may occasionally kill, but there is so much space 
around a small bird that it is quite twenty chances to one 
against killing, unless you are in the right direction, espe- 
cially with a choke bore gun. 

When a covey of birds rise together, the greatest quickness 
combined with steadiness is requisite, so as to select the two 
most advantageous chances. 

Never shoot wildly into them, or you may wound several 
without killing any. Each bird should be shot at as carefully 
as though only one was on the wing. 

If in company, you will, of course, select your birds from 
those on your own side, and your companion will take the 
like precaution. Be sure take the bird farthest from you for 
the first barrel, or it may be out of distance 'for your sec- 
ond, unless you are wonderfully quick, and it is a great 
saving of time and trouble to get two birds at one rise. 

Many times in my youthful days I have shot a couple of 
charges into a covey of 18 or 20 partridges, apparently so 
close together on the wing that a horse rug would have cov- 
ered the lot, and not a bird have I killed. 

No game should if practicable ever be shot at a less distance 
.than 25 yards, and even then it will be almost useless for 



6 

the table if the gun shoots closely. It is much better to 
wait, as at 35 yards the shot will cover a much larger 
space. 

It is a very bad habit to shoot at any object sitting, af- 
ter having once accustomed yourself to wing practice. It 
will be found much easier to kill flying shots, as the body 
is more exposed when the wings are extended, and the bird 
presents nearly twice the size. 

Occasionally it may be necessary to shoot game when perched, 
or on the ground, and in doing so it will be best to level 
the gun below the mark, and steadily elevate it until the line 
is a little over the object, as the muzzle is likely to be 
lowered rather than raised in the action of pulling the trig- 
ger ; although most guns being thickest at the breech and the 
rib highest at back, they will throw the shot rather over the 
direct line. A shooter will soon find what his gun does. 

When a bird rises, the eye or eyes, for some of the best 
shots keep both open^ should be steadily observing and fol- 
lowing the exact course of flight; the hands should act in 
the most perfect harmony with the eye and the will, and 
the gun will come to the eye instinctively. It must be 
brought up a little behind the object, and the motion in- 
creased until the sight is well in front, and the trigger pulled 
without the movement of the gun being stayed in the slight- 
est degree. The £Lrmer the gun is held with both hands, 
the better, with the left hand well forward^ so as to keep 
the exact position, and the less recoil will be felt. (See 
front cover.) 

Should the bird be in front considerably over your level, 
take the sight a little underneath, and the bird will fly into 
the line of the shot. If going right or left follow the exact 
course until well ahead before firing. The farther off it is, 
and the swifter the flight, the greater allowance must there 
be made. For instance if at 20 or 25 yards, just in front 
of the bird's head will be sufficient, if the motion of the 
gun is kept slightly increasing, whereas if the object be 50 or 
60 yards away and flying swiftly^ in some cases two or even 
three feet ahead will not be too much, depending entirely 



upon circumstances of which the gunner himself will be the 
best judge, after a little careful consideration. 

When I say three or four feet, I mean what would ap- 
pear three or four feet at 60 yards, because an object four 
feet long at 60 yards does not appear over three feet, so 
that when shooting three feet ahead of a quartering fast fly- 
ing bird at 60 yards, you are really aiming between four 
and five feet in front of it. 

In order to become a good judge of distance, measure 
out say 30, 40, 50 and 60 yards at your own homestead, 
and often study it. 

I have beard shooters say: " What a long shot^ why that 
was ^o yards;" when upon stepping it out, it was not really 50. 

The pull of the trigger^ the quickness of the powder^ of 
which the small grain is said to be the best for snap shots, 
(although perhaps not quite so strong) have all to be con- 
sidered, bearing in mind that three-fourths, if not more of 
the shots missed, are from being behind ratiier than in front. 

This remember and treasure up, as the greatest secret in 
shooting: Never allow your gun to be brought zipon a bird 
from above^ or before it; but always from behind if cross 
shots^ or below if rising shots. The cotcrse of fight being 
in direct opposition to the motioit of the gun., unless that 
instruction is followed., it would reqtiire at least double al- 
lowance to be made., and even then I very much question un- 
less in very experienced hands., whether one shot in twenty 
would be effective. 

Two opposing motions in machinery produce awful conse- 
quences ; and in the same degree in gunnery, it is hardly pos- 
sible to calculate the effect of the flight of a bird being 
opposed to the movement of the gun. 

The greatest care should also be used that the gun is 
held level, so that the line from the eye in taking sight 
should be along the centre of the rib., from the screw at 
breech to the sight on muzzle. (See addenda, page 26.) 

With ground game the same principle applies more or 
less, remembering that whereas with birds above your level go- 
ing right away., you shoot under them ; hares or rabbits 



8 

and even birds near the ground being Aelozu your level, it 
is requisite to be well over them, carefully calculating whether 
it is rising or falling ground, and with side shots be well 
in front as explained before. 

If a hare or rabbit is crossing you in brush or timber, and 
you only just get a sight, snap shoot three or four feet in 
front of where you saw it, and you will be almost sure to 
find that you have killed. So with a wood-cock, shoot af- 
ter him in the direction he was taking, although you have 
lost sight, for being a very soft bird, a single pellet may 
kill him at 50 or 60 yards. It will be found to answer very 
often. 

I have observed that in the field and also at the trap, 
many good shots miss a larger proportion of right quarter- 
ing birds than when going to the left. 

Several reasons suggest themselves. The shooter stands with 
his left foot forward, consequently it is easier for him to 
turn to the left than to the right, more especially with a cor- 
pulent person. 

Again, the left hand being held most forward along the 
barrel, it has greater command of the gun than the trigger 
hand ; and the pressure of the finger in pulling the trigger 
is very apt to stay the motion of the gun in right hand 
shots. 

You scarcely ever see a missed right hand bird, but which 
is lost from shooting behind it. 

In trap shooting, I think it well to cover the No. 4 trap, instead 
of No. 3 ; it is as easy to wheel 15 yards to the left, as it is 5 
yards to the right. Hold the gun firmly, and shoot more forward 
at the right quartering birds than others. Remember this partic- 
ularly, that with side birds, there is lots of time to get good, 
certain aim, before firing, for the bird is not getting further from 
you as he would if going straight away, and a quartering bird is 
the easiest shot possible, with proper care and steadiness. 

Since writing the above, a remarkable confirmation of this 
occurred in the Bogardus-Hauworth plunge trap match, at St. 
Louis. Bogardus was one bird ahead at the ninety-eighth 
round, and offered $100 to a- dollar that he would win the 



9 

match. Both having killed in the next round, and Hauworth in 
front having killed his bird, Bogardus had to score his last bird 
to win. He got a very fast bird, well up in the air, half quarter- 
ing to the right and fas ^ rising; just the most difficult of all 
shots to kill ; and although being at 2 1 yards rise, he took plenty of 
time, but shooting as would be most likely the case, slightly 
behind the bird, although striking him with one or two shots 
through the rump, being favored by the wind he carried it right 
over, and lost Bogardus the match, the result being a tie of 92. 
It was somewhat singular also that Bogardus killed 21 left 
quartering birds, but missed three right quarterers, and Hauworth 
killed 21 left quarterers, but missed four to the right, neither 
having missed a left hand shot. 

The more trouble bestowed upon these little matters the better ; 
and the best judge of distance and pace will be the most successful 
in making a good bag. 

I have generally found that the fastest flying birds are, the 
duck, teal, and some quail. 

The snipe and prairie chicken fly swiftly when with a strong 
wind ; but snipe, it hunted down wind, which they always should 
be, will generally turn against it ; and then they present the very 
easiest side shots of any bird I have ever met with. 

Most young sportsmen are afraid to hunt jack snipe, because 
they have been told it is a difficult bird to kill. Generally they 
are found in the open, and although they wobble about a good 
deal when they first rise, let them get 15 or 20 yards on the wing, 
then they fly as straight and as steadily as any bird I know, 
and are very easily killed. 

There is very little good snipe shooting in England, and one 
of the small sized Wilson snipe, which, by the bye, I have never 
met with in this country, is almost as great a rarity as a black 
swan. It is a much more difficult bird to kill, than the full sized 
jack seen here, and I well recollect when a boy, my father who 
was a fair shot at general game, having 8 double shots at one 
bird, and at last he got a chance and finished him sitting. 

Before I had scarcely any practice at snipe, I heard Bogardus 
sav when he was in Wales, the first time he was over in 



10 

England, that he would back himself to kill lOO snipe in succes- 
sion and take every fair shot. 

It appeared to me that it was about lOO to i against his doing 
it, but after I arrived in this country, I had the pleasure of seeing 
him kill them right and left at 40, 50 and 60 yards, and about as 
easily as he now breaks the glass balls. It gave me confidence 
in hunting with him, and since then I have mightily enjoyed 
hunting snipe, and I killed 103 the lasit I ever shot at. 

Every young beginner should hunt snipe ; it is splendid sport, 
with good retrieving pointers ; and even the common meadow 
lark is really good practice in the summer season. 

The quail is by many thought a very easy bird to kill ; but I 
think the hunter who will score 7 out of 10 the day through in 
central Illinois, where it is mostly corn and ragweed shooting, 
can hold his own in any company, and at any game. 

I met with two bevies of quail, on the estate of John Gillett, 
Esq., near Elkhart, Logan Co., Illinois, that were the swiftest 
flying birds I ever saw, I scattered them in corn about eight feet 
high, and had eleven shots at one lot before I scored one ; and I 
never took the trouble to look for either again, but left them for 
breeding ; as about half a dozen of any of that family connection, 
would afford a fine days amusement, for such of the Springfield 
or Bloomington hunters who may happen to be in that neigh- 
borhood. 

The prevailing error in hunting quail is, that as they very often 
get up under the feet or at most from four to six yards from the 
shooter, they are generally shot at when not more than 10 or 12 
yards from the gun. 

If they were allowed to reach from 25 to 30 yards away, many 
more would be killed ; to say nothing about the better appearance 
on the table. 

Should any young hunter, or even old one, be so nervous or 
impulsive that he cannot wait patiently as suggested, let him just 
try the experiment of cocking both barrels after the birds have 
risen. 

When very young, I often walked between my father and his 
elder brother when partridge shooting. 



11 

My uncle always carried his gun at half-cock, and would 
steadily raise the hammers after the birds had risen. He would 
kill his double shot certain, a considerable time after his com- 
panion had fired both barrels. 

Although my father was a good ordinary game shot, his 
brother could beat him 25 per cent, in the quantity of game 
killed in the day's shoot. 

This was at a time when guns and ammunition were not so 
good as now, no choke-bores then. 

I shall ever remember with pleasure some days snipe and 
chicken hunting with Capt. Bogardus, at Elkhart, 111. ; also at 
wild fowl with E. S. Cornell ; quail and chickens with Jac. 
Karr ; chickens with Charley Gordon, and wood-cock and quail in 
the timber with Henry Rowe ; the last four near Gibson 
City, • Ills. 

They are all rare companions in the field, and at the top of the 
tree, as marksmen in each of the branches enumerated. 

Talk of killing ducks and brant. Any infortunate creature 
that comes within 50 or 60 yards of Cornell, might save a lot of 
trouble by coming down at once, for if he just gets that gun of 
his to bear on them, it is all over. 

There is still some splendid duck hunting in the Western 
States. The duck hunter's story, from the "Detroit Free Press," 
will give some idea of what it used to be. 

"Speaking of duck shooting on St. Clair Flats," sighed an old 
citizen as he took a seat in a gun store yesterday, "I don't think 
there are as many birds up there as there was ten or fifteen years 
ago. Why, sir, the channels used to be just black with 'em, and 
they were so tame that you could knock 'em on the head." 

Everybody sighed to think those good old days and ducks 
could never return, and the veteran hunter continued: 

"I remember I was out one day in April. I got in among the 
bipeds, and how many do you suppose I counted ?" 

"Three hundred," ventured one of the audience after a long 
interval. 

"Three hundred! Why, I always killed over a thousand 
every time I went out! No, sir, I counted over 16,000 great, 



12 

big, fat, plump, delicious ducks, and then I had only counted 
those on one side of the boat!" 

"How long did it take you ?" 

"I don't know, sir, I had no watch with me. Time is nothing 
to a man counting ducks. I counted aloud, and when the ducks 
were small I counted two for one. By and by I got tired of 
counting, and got ready for the slaughter." 

"How many did you kill?" 

"Well, now, I suppose I could lie about it and say I killed 
900 or 1,000, but I'm getting too near the grave for that. No, I 
didn't kill a blasted one, and that's where the strange part of the 
story comes in. When I began to lift that gun up those ducks 
knew what I was up to just as well as a human being, and what 
did they do.? Why, sir, about 200 of 'em made a sudden dive, 
swam under the boat, and all raised on her port-side at once and 
upset her! Yes, sir, they did, and there I was in the North 
Channel in ten feet of water, boat upset, night coming on, and I 
in my wet clothes." 

"Well.?" 

"Well, I climbed up on the bottom of the boat, floated five 
miles and was picked up by two Indians. We towed that upset 
boat to an island, and here another curious thing comes in. 
Under the boat were 264 large, plump ducks. They had been 
caught there when she upset, and all we had to do was to ha;ul 
'em out and rap 'em on the head." 

"Why, why didn't they dive down and get from under the 
boat.?" asked an amateur duck-shooter. 

"Why didn't they, sir — why didn't they.? Well, sir, I might 
have asked 'em why they didn't, but it was late, a cold wind had 
sprung up, and I didn't feel like talking! All I know is that I 
counted over 16,000 ducks, was upset, captured 264, and have 
affidavits here in my wallet to prove everything I have stated. 
Does any man here want to see the documents.?" 

No man did. They all looked out of the windows and wond,- 
ered if they could lie that way when they had passed three-score 
years. 

I have heard of extraordinary scores being made in hunting 
wild fowl, but the largest bag really certified, was that of my 



13 

friend Capt. E. E. Stubbs, with whom I lately shot a match at Little 
Rock, Arkansas, as recorded further on. 

It was reported at the time in the "Semi-weekly Coast," and 
also in the "Gulf Weekly" newspapers. He was on a small 
tidal island, in a cove, about 3 miles from the main shore on the 
Mexican coast, and in 5 hours and 25 minutes, he killed 613 
head of birds, each one shot at single and on the wing. There 
were 46 swans, 73 geese, 34 brant and 461 mallards and spoon 
bill ducks. 

He used 627 cartridges of No. 4 shot, and it kept two Mexican 
ranchmen hard at work to gather in the game. They remarked 
'•'■Melltcan man great shooter^ big hunter^'''' '•'•me hard ■work.'" 
'•'•He kill all de game." '•'•Dey jist comes right down -when he 
pints dat way. ' ' 

He also related to me that in 1875, when hunting alone, for the 
market, in Northwestern Iowa, during the months of September 
and October, he killed 1,957 prairie chickens, besides other 
game, using a brace of English pointers, one at a time, on 
alternate days. 

I do not doubt either of the above statements, for I feel sure 
Capt. Stubbs would not relate anything untrue to me, and I can 
confidently say, that I consider him perhaps as good, if not the 
best shot I ever saw, both with the rifle and shot gun. 

I think he can kill as many prairie chickens on the wing with 
a rifle, as any man I know (bar about 2 or 3) can do with a 
shot gun, and during this next summer I expect we shall see him 
trying his skill at pigeons 30 yards rise, English rules with his 
rifle, against crack men with the shot gun. Although I have 
had some very good shooting in America, I would rather 
not mention any of my best doings, as they are so completely 
put in the back ground by the above. 

Much has been written and much jealousy and ill feeling 
expi-essed on the subject of the destruction of game in the Middle 
and Western States, by parties of hunters from the East, who 
ship all they kill either for market or to their eastern friends. 

I have hunted every day during the season for three years, and 
can pretty well judge what quantity of game can be killed. 



14 

My opinion is that the scarcity and constant decrease in game is 
not caused by gunners, to a tenth part of what is supposed. 

I was well equipped with guns, dogs, and the best hunting 
poney in the world. (Alas! since dead.) I could shoot double 
shots from the saddle as easily as from the ground, could turn 
her loose on the prairie for hours ; on the slightest motion 
of raising the gun she would be firm as a rock, and in the tallest 
corn would thread her way with less damage than I could walk 
myself. I would mention, for the information of my friends in 
England, that the prairie chicken or pinnated grouse is much 
the same bird as the grouse of Great Britain. 

The quantity of chickens and quails that I could kill, might 
have been raised easily upon two sections of land. 

I maintain that the greatest enemies game has to contend 
with, are the farmer's dogs, hawks, snakes, mink, skunk, owls, 
crows, coons, opossums and foxes. 

At almost every farm-house you will find two, three or four 
dogs, no matter what breed, so that they can '•''kill a rat^ and 
bite a tramp.'''' Some ai'e czS\.q.A full blooded bird dogs, which 
are worse than any others when running loose, but they embrace 
every variety from the mastiff to the verriest cur poodle. 

As a rule they are left to their own exertions for a living, and 
in the game breeding season accompany the teams when plough- 
ing and cultivating the corn, so that nothing escapes them, 
breaking up the nests of the chickens and quail, scaring the old 
birds when sitting, and killing the helpless young by wholesale. 

There are crows enough in Missouri and western Illinois to 
suck every <t^^ laid ; and crows also kill the young game. I 
have seen a gang of i,ooo at one time. No wonder game is 
scarce. Snakes also are very destructive to young game and 
eggs. I killed more than loo rattle snakes in one summer and 
bull snakes out of number. 

Again some of the farmers who do not hunt, take all the 
chicken's eggs for cooking purposes, so as to send their hen's 
eggs to market. 

I was told by a farmer in Illinois last year, that he had used 
over 400 chicken's eggs in his house, all taken from 240 acres 
of land. 



15 

A regular hunter is the greatest friend to game, because he 
never omits an opportunity of kilHng vermin. 

A chicken hawk requii'es a chicken or quail, at least, evety day 
in the year ; besides what they take extra when they have their 
young to provide for; so that a pair of those birds will kill more 
game in the year than a regular hunter, and I have always 
argued that by destroying on the average, a hawk or owl, besides 
other vermin every day I went out, that I was indirectly the 
means of preserving fifty head of game for every one I killed. 

Farmers little think the benefit a sportsman is to them, in 
destroying the enemies of their domestic poultry. 

Increased cultivation by utilizing sleughs and breaking up 
prairies must drive off prairie chickens, as it deprives them of 
insect feed, as well as places for seclusion and nesting. 

Just a few lines here to chicken hunters : Study carefully the 
habits of your game, and save yourselves the time and trouble of 
beating over ground on which there is no chance of finding 
anything. 

It is very pleasing to see dogs trained as for a field trial show, 
range over every yard of ground, quartering with almost mechan- 
ical exactness over perhaps a thousand acres of prairie after 
chickens, when not even 20 acres would be likely to hold a 
bird. 

In Europe, where enclosures are small and game plentiful, and 
in some parts of this country where quails are abundant, such 
dogs are very beautiful to see ; but a good chicken dog accus- 
tomed to hunting on ihe prairie, seems to know that the edges 
of the sleugh are most likely to hold game. 

You will never find chickens in foul corn if there is any other 
within 3 or 4 miles, unless scared in early season by a hawk or 
from being shot into. 

Chickens roost on open spaces in the prairie, so that vermin 
cannot easily reach them without detection, and there they will 
be found feeding at break of day, and again in the evening, on 
insects. 

If m a country where small grain is cultivated, they will be in 
the wheat and oat stubbles, to feed early. 



16 

As the sun gets stronger in early season, they go to the edges 
of the slough on the prairies, where they can get the shade of the 
long grass, and watch for any indications of danger, and as a 
rule will stay there until about ten o'clock, when they leave for 
the shade of the corn, where they will remain, if undisturbed, un- 
til feeding time in the afternoon. 

If the hunter is a stranger, and does not know the favorite corn 
fields, he can watch the flight of the birds from an elevated posi- 
tion, and after allowing them to rest for an hour, can go direct to 
where he will get good shooting. 

Fresh broken land about the second or third year of cultivation 
is the most favorable resort ; they dust and scratch in the shade, 
and can, in clean corn, watch every thing going on for some dis- 
tance. 

It is not unusual for birds to travel two or three miles to find 
the land they want ; no wonder therefore that you may beat over 
a large tract of corn land full of weeds, without finding a single 
bird, even in a good chicken country. 

Dogs that will keep close in, and retrieve ivell^ are nec- 
essary in corn hunting ; and if a space of about 20 or 30 yards 
is allowed between each gun in walking the rows, a good lot of 
ground may be beaten over during the hours of from 12 to 4 
o'clock ; after which the birds will be leaving for the stubble and 
pastures. Chickens rarely touch corn until insect and small 
grain feed is exhausted. 

Chicken hunting, in corn which is often ten feet or more high, 
is very bad practice for finely broken young dogs ; as hunting 
mostly out of view of their master, they are apt to take advantage 
of it, and break rules. I would rather at any time cleanly miss three 
shots, than leave a winged or wounded bird to suffer and become 
the prey of vermin. For that reason I have been this last two 
seasons allowing my dogs to go in at once for dead birds, because 
if you should tip the wing of a fully matured or old male bird, he 
will generally take the line of a row of corn, and go right away 
at his greatest speed until he reaches the long prairie grass, even 
if it is a quarter or half mile or more away. 

If the dogs are made to drop to charge, and the bird gets 100 
seconds start of the dog, unless he bleeds from his wounds, it 



17 

can hardly be expected that a dog can trail a particular bird over 
perhaps twenty cross scents, and especially where it is stronger 
from the birds having been playing about for some time on the 
ground. 

A bird running as fast as possible, leaves very little scent on 
dry ground in the summer season. 

"Eyes open and mouth shut," is my motto in hunting. There 
is nothing will scare game so much as the human voice, and I 
maintain that one '"'•down charge" spoken loudly and in anger, 
will set all the game on the alert within a quarter of a mile, and 
does infinitely more harm than a dog going direct to his dead 
game and returning quietly with it. Prairie chickens are not 
easily moved by a dog unless he should be a wild one, and many 
dogs will, in bringing dead game, especially quail, stand the live 
ones with the dead in its mouth. 

I have many times, when on high ground, seen my dog Sancho 
coming in with a wounded bird, half to three quarters of a mile 
from the spot where it fell ; it was only a question of time if he 
was not in at once, if it took him ten minutes, he was sure to get 
him before he returned. Dogs often get blame, for not finding 
what is thought to be a dead bird, when really there is no fault, 
as the game is perhaps some hundred yards away at the time he 
is sent for it ; whereas, if the dog had been sent in at once, he 
would have recovered the bird before it had time to get round 
from the effect of the fall. 

I cannot refrain from telling a little story. My friend Charley 
Gordon and myself were invited by some renters, on the 40,000 
acre Sullivant farm, at Burroaks, in Ford Co., Illinois, to join a 
party in a prairie chicken hunt ; as we were known pretty good 
shots, and had plenty of good dogs. 

The whole neighborhood was called out. Every available 
gun, nearly a dozen, was looked up, and brought into requisition. 
Some had two barrels and only one hammer ; others refused to 
remain at half or full cock, and had to be loosed from the thumb, 
and some had not been known to observe half cock for years, and 
of others, the barrels had some few apparently originally done 
service as gas pipes, about the time that article was introduced, 
and were secured to the stock by string or wire. 



18 

Every gun had a history and pedigree, of course, all imported^ 
_genuine articles ; and most had killed ducks, geese, or chickens 
at lOO yards, and from 15 to 20 quails at one shot. 

Soda water bottles suspended on strings, served for powder 
and shot flasks, and the palm of the hand for measures. Old 
newspapers answered instead of wads, and sometimes in a hurry 
a dram of powder would do for two ounces of shot. " The more 
shot the better^ but not much powder for fear of bursting the 
gun.''^ 

Dogs of all sorts and sizes, rough and smooth, mostly called 
full-blooded^ and descended from stock that could '•'■smell a 
chicken at a quarter of a mile.^' They had done it. The 
whole party of men and dogs numbered nearly forty, so we 
spread out and went ahead. I preferred the right hand outside 
berth, as it appeared to me much the safest in that company ; and 
stretching wide through the corn, we all went at it with a will. 

One or two of the '■'■Nimrods^' led the hunt. They of course 
kne-jv where the chickens were, they could find '•''all you "wanf 
in no time. "All you want" is a favorite expression in speaking 
of game, but what quantity it represents I never exactly found 
out. If it originated from "■ We want but little here below .^"^ 
I certainly generally got it. 

After toiling without my poney for about four hours in 
very foul corn, and moving only one bird, which I got outside in 
a road, and during which time I constantly told them '•'•wewould 
never find any birds in such corn as that.,'''' we came to a well 
cultivated piece of about 100 acres. 

As soon as I saw it, I said '"''now boys look out for the chick- 
ens^" and sure enough there they were. 

For some hour and a half it was glorious fun! such volleys! ! 
such shouting! such a row! ! seven or eight shots at a single biid, 
and a very nice bundle of chickens was the result. 

If Charley and I had been by ourselves, I really think we could 
have got 100. I visited that ground often afterwards and had 
fine sport. 

I came across another well .cultivated farm of 200 acres on the 
Sullivant estate. The occupier was a rare good hearted fellow 
named Furrey ; he deserved a good crop. He said I was welcome 



19 



to hunt his corn as often as I hked, he knew I would do him 
no damage, and for some time I had good sport there three days 
a week. 

Good farming paid him well. It looked all of 80 bushels to 
the acre right through. He had two clever little twin sons, aged 
12, who with another son about 18, and himself, entirely cultivated 
and managed 50 acres each, and they had reason to be proud of 
their success. 

Some of the small freeholders detest hunters, as the devil is 
said to hate holy-water^ and will if possible get some chance of 
swearing at you, and threatening vengeance. A renter, or a 
large owner seldom interferes, bnt the 40 acre man, without the 
'Writings in his house^ takes every opportunity of asserting his 
authority, just to make believe that the place belongs to him, 
when, perhaps, having borrowed money at ten per cent, to get 
his land, he has not even a dollar of interest in it, and would be 
worse off than a renter if closed up. There are, however, many 
w^ho will heartily welcome a stranger with a gun, and enjoy see 
ingagood shot ; and more particularly clever dogs. Butifyou wei«.- 
to believe all you hear, there must be much more game in the 
■country, than your dogs are able to find. 

John Gillette, Esq., of Elkhart, Logan Co. Ills., a fine farmer 
of his own fine estate of nearly 10,000 acres, once said to me, ''I 
have not the least objection to either Bogardus or yourself 
shooting over my land, whenever and wherever you like ; because 
you are hunters and you know your business ; and a regular 
hunter will do me no harm ; but there are a lot of random young 
fellows come here and scare my cattle, and do me lots of injury, 
and I cannot allow them over my place." 

A farmer in going his rounds, sees the same flock of quails, 
perhaps a dozen times in the course of the day, and supposes 
they are as many different lots, so that he tells you '•'•he can show 
you at least twenty gangs''' thatis what they call them, '•'•gangs." I 
^/ould have you beware how you get into a gang of quails near 
a farm house ; for often you may get driven off at the point of a 
hay fork, by half a dozen men and dogs, if you get killing their 
'"'•pretty quails that come to feed with the fowh." I expect 
before two more Presidents are elected in this country, that in 



20 

some parts game will be strictly preserved. At the present time 
the penalty for tresspassing inpursuit of game is much heavier than 
it is in England. 

Once I marked a chicken down near to where a farmer's wife 
was picking corn ; so I rode round the bird to get between it and 
the woman and beat away from her, I shot from the poney and 
killed the chicken, with my back toward the woman, but she told 
her husband that the shots hit her, and I was forbidden hunting 
on his ground afterwards, and often joked for having shot a 
woman. I had heard of guns shooting round stacks of corn, but 
that was the only instance of one throwing shot backwards, that 
I have had positive proof of. 

Returning from hunting one day near Elkhart, Ills., I met 
a farmer, who asked me if I was fond of rabbitting. I replied 
'•'• just the sport J do like^^' he said, "w/5_y don' t you come to my 
place^ you can get all you want^ why you can Just slay them! ! T' 
That settled it at once. I began to think. Slay? Slay? Ah! 
I remember now, why Samson slew a thousand Phillistines and 
'•''all you wanf' again! surely that means two sacks full at least. 
The snow was pretty deep, and next morning I started on my 
old poney with plenty of shells, three dogs and two new sacks ; 
and after a long hunt I found the shanty in the timber. 

My friend was just starting out for a log, so he said, '•'■put your 
poney in the stable and hunt round here anywhere^ until I come 
back and join you. ^' 

I found a bunch of seven quails and got two, and after a while 
I moved a rabbit which I killed. So after four hours work I gave 
it up in disgust, and just when I started for home he came back. 

On describing my hunt to him, he explained. " What! not 
found but one rabbit!!" '•'•Why my dogs started two yester- 
day!!" 

I shall never forget that word slay. I could have stayed him if 
I dared. 

^ I could fill a large volume with pleasing reminiscences of dogs, 
&c., &c., for I had two pointers at the same time, Sancho, (see 
likeness of him on the cover) and Shot, that among other things 
were constantly standing on quail, when bringing in dead birds 



21 

in theii" mouths, but I have no space at command, so must hark 
back ! 

In flushing game before a dog, it is best to walk up very 
quietly, or you may make him nervous and unsteady. Study 
carefully from the wind and circumstances, the probable position 
of the game, and do not walk direct to it or appear in a hurry^ 
as most likely it is watching you, and will let you get much 
closer, if you appear to be going past it. 

Try and drive your birds in the direction most easy to follow, 
and rise them against wind if possible, as they will not fly so 
swiftly. 

If ducks, say a couple of mallards, ai-e coming right over you^ 
let them get well past before shooting; there is plenty of time for 
a double shot, and if you shoot under them from behind, they are 
more easily killed than from the front, as the feathers are softer. 

I am convinced that one-half of the shots missed, thought to be 
out of range, would have been effective if the gun had been held 
more forward ; as it must take longer for shot to travel 60 than 20 
yards, and allowance has to be made for the time lost in fulling 
trigger^ fall of hammer^ ignition of cap^ combustion of powder 
and reaching the object^ which, however instantaneous it may 
all seem at first thought, would allow a bird in fast flight to travel 
several feet. 

Often, when shooting at several birds, and one has dropped, 
you hear a companion say : " What a splendid shot," when, in 
reality, it was not the" bird you aimed at but one several feet 
behind it that was killed ; and if it had been a single bird fired at 
you would not have killed at all. 

The great advantage claimed for the breech-loading gun is not 
only the rapidity of firing and reloading, but that however foul 
the barrels may be, the shells are each fresh and clean, and, 
moreover, the shot can be changed in a moment as occasion may 
require. 

Sometimes when loaded for snipe with rd shot, you suddenly 
come upon a chance of a shot at large game, your shells can be 
changed in a second, whereas you may as well have thrown a 
stone as shot at it with the charge of small shot. 



22 

In trap shooting, it is always advisable to have a supply of 
shells loaded with the Dittmar or smokeless yellow powder, for if 
shooting with the use of both barrels, now becoming so general, 
should the atmosphere be close and mugg}', no matter what sort 
of black powder is used, if the bird goes straight away, the 
second barrel will be almost useless in 9 out of every 10 shots. 

I had the pleasure of an introduction when in New York to 
Mr. J. Von Lengerke, the representative of the Dittmar Co. He 
presented me with 100 loaded shells for a trial, and they were 
used by the Englishman in the Bogardus-Rimell match at Pitts- 
burgh, for the first barrel. He scored 90 dead in bounds and 9 
over the fence, which was only 50 yards in front of the traps. 
Bogardus used Dittmar in his first bai'rel in same match and 
scored 96 in bounds and 3 dead over the fence, at 30 yards rise, 
five ground traps, under English rules. 

The great secret in the use of Dittmar powder appears from the 
trials I have made, and which is also Mr. Lengerke' s opinion, 
that the more perfectly the powder is confined in loading, the 
greater will be the power and of necessity the better will be the 
results. 

I strongly advise the use of wads without any indentations, 
particulai'ly for Dittmar powder, for in loading shells there is no 
necessity for them on the score of escape of air, as there was in 
the old muzzle loading times. If the indented wads are used, 
care should be taken that the air holes are not exactly over each 
other, but I think the makers of wads would do well to drop them 
altogether. 

With a 10 bore, 9 lb. breech-loader, I use by measure 5^^ drams 
of C diamond grain Dittmar or Orange Lightning powder ; a Bald- 
win dry wad to keep the grease from the powder; two thick, 
strong greased wads, well rammed down singly, and another 
Baldwin dry wad on the shot. 

The brass shells I think far best for Dittmar powder, as they 
will admit of a wad a size larger than the paper shells, and the 
tighter the wad the better must the explosive power be confined 
in leaving the barrel. In loading with Dittmar it will be found a 
very great advantage to let the shell remain all night, or at any 
rate a few hours after the powder and the wads are well rammed 

1 



23 

down before putting in tlie shot, as it will admit of considerable 
more pressure on being struck with the mallet afterwards. 

A rammer made of iron something in the same style as a wad- 
cutter, closely fitted to the shell, will keep the wads level and pre- 
vent the sides turning up. 

Soft felt wads, or soft wads of any kind, are of no use what- 
ever with Dittmar powder. I have cause to remember it, for I 
lost a good match through using them. My candid opinion is, 
t\-\Q.t properly loaded, the Dittmar powder is as good, both for 
quickness and killing properties, as the best black powder ever 
made. That is my own experience. 

Occasionally., perhaps, once in one or two hundred shots you 
may find a shell that appears defective, but that is also the case 
with all powders, because it is almost certain to arise from the 
raising of the wads, particularly in brass shells, or some error in 
loading. 

Without wishing to favor any particular make of powder, I 
recommend every gunner to use the very best he can purchase ; no 
cheap, dirty trash. 

Orange Lightning is the make I always use in my matches. I 
do not say it is better than any other, but I have always found it 
alike, truly and thoroughly reliable, which is what I want. 

I remember Bogardus used it when in England in 1875, and I 
believe has continued doing so up to the present time, and con- 
siders it the best. 

We Britishers have a great notion of sticking to a good thing, 
and I purpose keeping to Orange Lightning as long as it main- 
tains its present excellence. 

A great difference of opinion exists on the merit of large and 
small bore guns, and large and small sized shot. 

With a small bore gun, say No. iS, there would be double the 
friction that there would be from a 10 bore, because double the 
quantity of shot would be exposed to the inner surface of the 
barrel. 

Friction means consequent loss of power and velocity, and loss 
of velocity means loss of penetration. 

I am of opinion, without any actual scientific data to guide me, 
that there would be 25 per cent, greater velocity and power witii 



24 

a No. lo guage gun, 5 drams of powder and i^ oz. of shot, than 
with an 18 bore gun loaded with 3 drams of powder and i oz. of 
shot. 

All that may not be of much consequence in shooting at a 
straight away bird at 25 or 30 yards, but apply it to a fifty yards 
quartering shot and it will astonish yon, and show the necessity 
of shooting well forward. 

The larger the size of shot the greater the velocity ; thus, 
No. 3 shot will travel 10 per cent, or more faster than No. 7, and 
consequently makes greater penetration, which will account for 
its killing at greater distance. (See addenda, page 31.) 

After a common sense consideration of the subject, I have come 
to the conclusion that a 10 guage gun of 9 lbs. weight, 30 inch 
barrels, is the best suited for all purposes. 

It is not too heavy to carry in the field, and is of sufficient 
weight to allow of 5 drams of powder and ij oz. of shot, when 
handled by a person of ordinar}' physique. 

If a gun is found to rebound seriously, it is obviated entirely, 
at a cost of 75 cents, by a rubber pad on the butt. 

I uj>e 5^ drams of best powder in matches, and can shoot 100 
double shots without the least soreness of the shoulder or incon- 
venience to the nervous system from concussion, whereas without 
the pad, I should be almost unable to raise my arm at 100 double 
shots. 

With regard to shot, I am much in favor of small sized shot as 
a general rule. No. 9 New York, with good load of powder 
behind, is very effective. Try it for the first barrel. 

The original inventor of the double-barreled gun was either 
very stupid, or what is more probable, he was a left handed man, 
for certain it is that the triggers are placed in a favorable position 
for a left shouldered shot. 

It would be found much handier in use if the first trigger was 
placed where the second now is, and the left barrel used first, as 
it is easier to move the finger forward than take it back, and it 
would glide more readily from one trigger to the other. 

When I first noticed it, I changed them in my gun, and was 
delighted with the plan, but I foresaw that if it was adopted it 
would at first be very dangerous in the hands of strangers. 



25 

The first person to whom I showed it was a Welsh gamekeeper, 
almost always with a gun in his hand. 

I explained it very carefully to him, and he liked it muchly, bul 
was slightly offended as I cautioned him against accident when he 
began, as is usual to try the locks. 

Almost on the instant off went the gun. He was, of course, 
handling the wrong hammer. Fortunately, I was clear of the 
muzzle, and no further damage was done than a few broken 
squares of glass in his employer's conservatory. 

It is scarcely necessary to add that I replaced the triggers in 
their old form, and I leave it to a wiser generation to adopt the 
principle. 

I cannot refrain here from noticing what appears to me a very 
sad ivaste of life, and food intended for man, in the wanton 
destruction of game, and particularly wild fowl, in the Western 
States, for the purposes of sport only, thQ birds when shot down 
being left to suffer and die a lingering death from starvation. 

A great deal of this may be caused by the arbitrary laws passed 
in most of the Western States, prohibiting the exportation of 
game, even by residents. 

I know instances in Iowa of hunters killing chickens wholesale 
and leaving them to rot upon the ground. 

It is very one sided policy, for, as a rule, Eastern hunters will 
spend and leave more money in a neighborhood where they are 
hunting, than three or four times the value of the game killed, so 
that indirectly the landowners would benefit by encouraging hunters 
and it would be selling their game pretty dearly. A maiket 
hunter will carefully gather all he kills and send it for sale where 
anybody who has not the time or the opportunity to kill game for 
themselves, can buy it and enjoy a dish of game at a moderate 
cost. 

A rich man, who has the means at disposal, to command the 
best hunting grounds, and with every facility to get large quan- 
tities of game, merely shoots it down for so-called sport and 
leaves the poor things to perish, oftentimes in a single day 
destroying and wasting what would be food iox Jifty families. 

I would suggest to all such gentlemen who would not like to 
handle the proceeds of game sent to market, that they should 



26 

send it free of cost to the nearest available hospitals, poor houses 
and public institutions,^ where the gift would be appreciated by 
the poor suffering inmates. The express companies would, 
doubtless, convey it free of cost. Another idea presents itself. 
Let the game be sent to market in the ordinary way and the 
proceeds given to some good charities, or handed over to the State 
Sportsmen's Association to provide a series of prizes at the an- 
nual tournament. 



M'^'WMfMWM.i 



WHY LEFT QUARTERING SHOTS ARE GENERALLY KILLED. 



If, instead of the sight being taken along exact line of barrels B to B, it 
should be done inadvertently from the left side of the rib C to C and dead on, if 
a left quartering bird, it will be equivalent to aiming at least two feet ahead at 
forty yards, ana it will be a certain kill, if the motion of the gun is not stayed in 
pulling the trigger, for the bird will fly into the line of the charge and be struck 
well forward. 

Should the shot be a right quartering one, and aim be taken in the same way 
from C to C, the effect will be exactly opposite and would be two feet behind the 
bird, which with a close shooting gun, would be a sure miss. [See diagram.] 

On the contrary, if the aim be taken from the right side of rib, A to A, the right 
quartering shots would be killed and the left missed. Little need be cared for on 
that point, however, as it would very seldom occur that the gun was sufficiently 
on the chest to allow the sight to be so taken. It is well, therefore, as mentioned 
on page 8, to shoot well forward in right hand shots. 

Remember, that if in the excitement of the moment the eye, although perfectly 
dead on the sight, should be, say the eighth of an inch, higher than the level of 
rib at breech, it would cause the bird to be overshot very considerably. On the 
other hand, if the eye should be below the level at back it would of necessity 
produce an undershot. The finest and most perfect aim at the muzzle is useless 
unless it is also correct at breech. All these things will account for so many 
misses, of which there seems no possible explanation at the time. Guns are sel- 
dom to blame for misses at any moderate distance — either the shooter himself or 
the loading doubtless being at fault. 

On referring to page 59 it will be found that in the match between Bogardus 
and Rimell at Pittsburg, and in which 198 out of 200 birds were killed, with only 
2 incomers, 10 out of 13 dead out of bounds were right hand shots hit undoubt- 
edly a little behind, whereas every left hand bird was scored ; and recently, in 
the Price-Oberg match for State Championship at Kansas City, Mo., right 
quartering birds only were missed. If experienced shots are liable to do this, it 
is very requisite for beginners to pay especial attentiou to keeping the gun per- 
fectly upright in hand, and to take aim from the centre of lib at breech. 



27 



PpEHTIOf( OF jlCCIDENTS WITH GUI^S. 



Never carry a gun with the muzzle in a direction that it would 
be dangerous to life or property if accidentally discharged. 

Remember that the muzzle is the only dangerous part of a gun. 
Keep it pointed, therefore, either to the sky or to the ground. 

There is more to be dreaded from a companion's weapon than 
your own ; do not allow him to hold his gun so that you can see 
down the barrels. 

When going through or over a fence, put your gun at half or 
full cock, for if it should catch in anything, it will not explode as 
it would if the hammer rested on the cap and was slightly raised 
and loosed. Keep it well in front, muzzle upwards, with the 
hand in front of the trigger guard. If you should be in company 
the one following should bring his gun through the fence pointing 
backwards. 

When expecting game, the gun should be carried on the left 
arm if your companion is on the right side ; or in the left hand, 
with the muzzle sufficiently upwards to be safe. 

The finger should never touch the trigger until the game is 
moved; for if a stumble or fall occur in walking, and the finger 
is inside the guard, it is almost certain to cause an explosion. 

The hammers should never be resting upon the cap or striker, 
it is very dangerous^ as a very slight blow or concussion from a 
fall would cause a discharge. For 25 or 30 years I have carried 
my gun at full cock without an accident, and if the locks are 
good, I have always considered it the safest way. 

If snow or mud gets into the barrels be careful to -clear it well 
out before shooting. Many good barrels are either burst or 
b,ulged from some substance, even a wad being left in the muzzle. 



28 . 

When getting into, or out of a wagon, do not pull your gun 
after you. Keep it in front with the point well up. 

A breech- loading gun need scarcely ever be loaded except when 
expecting game ; but a few shells should be kept in the most con- 
venient place in case of hurry. 

Never take a loaded gun into a house, but either draw the shells 
or take off the caps, 

"This to your memory keep." 

Under no circumstances whatever attempt to de-cap or re- 
cap a loaded shelly but carefully dratu the charge first. If a 
metal shell, keep it well in front, so that the charge would be 
clear of you in case of explosion ; and if a paper shell, better lose 
the shell by cutting it through to save the ammunition, than run 
the risk of taking off the primer. 

In loading shells keep them well away in front, and be careful 
that the primer does not rest upon any hard substance, but have 
holes drilled out in the centre of the stand. 

Have metal shells properly fitted for the chamber of your gun, 
and do not lend them, for if used in a gun of slightly larger cali- 
bre than your own, they will burst or bulge, and be useless for 
your own afterwards. 

When loading a gun place the butt upon the foot and incline 
the muzzle well outwards quite clear of your head. If one bar- 
rel is fully loaded it should be turned farthest away, keeping the 
hand clear of it, and only the smallest portion of the finger that 
is necessary should be over the loaded barrel in using the ramrod. 
Both barrels should be at half cock, as the escape of the gas 
allows the powder to be driven well into the tube. 

Take care not to leave tow or rag in the breech when wiping 
out the gun ; it may be fired by the first discharge and igniting the 
powder in reloading, may cause a fatal accident by exploding the 
contents of the powder flask. 

Have the caps properly fitted to the tube, so as not to burst in 
putting on ; they will be easily taken off, and not liable to be lost. 

A spare tube and wrench, a shell extractor, knife, screw-driver, 
piece of cord or string, and some, small money will be found use- 
ful to a hunter. 



29 

Never put away a gun without wiping and oiling outside, and 
examine the locks often for fear of water and rust. 

Wash the barrels of a muzzle loader very often, for in damp 
weather a large portion of the powder will be wetted, and be- 
comes caked when forced down into the breech. 

Be careful that your shells are properly loaded, and carry at 
least two sizes of shot for ordinary use. A few with buck and 
B B shot should be kept very conveniently for large game, or long 
shots at flocks of geese or ducks. I have killed 8 and lo ducks 
at a double shot into a large lot at lOo yards, with 6 drams of 
powder and f oz. of B B shot. 

Great caution should be taken if the wad over shot should be- 
come loose, to remove it before putting in another cartridge ; for 
if the weight of shot should force the wad to the muzzle of 
the gun, it would be almost certain to burst or bulge t-he barrel at 
the next discharge. 

Many fine guns are spoiled by this simple thing, and either the 
maker of the gun or the powder (particularly if Dittmar or any 
other new explosive should be used), gets blamed for a casualty 
over which they have no control, and the real cause is never 
known. 

It is not very likely that the strength of any powder (even if 20 
drams were used), would be powerful enough to damage a bar- 
rel which has been tested to stand many times that power before 
leaving the factory. 

In resting a gun upon the ground never place the hand over the 
muzzle ; it is very dangerous. 

Not long since I was hunting with a young man who was very 
careless with his gun. Several times I had occasion during the 
day to caution him, as he would place the butt end on the ground 
with the hammers on the caps, and his hand over the top of the 
barrels. 

He seemed to regard my advice very lightly, forgetting the adage 
that " The young men think the old men are fools, but the old 
ones know the young men are." 

About two weeks afterwards he was in a wagon with a spring 
seat, holding his gun in the same manner, and in going over some 



30 

rough ground the jolting caused the spring seat to raise the ham- 
mer sufficiently to discharge the gun and carry away the wlioie of 
the centre of the hand and cripple him for life. 

If his gun had been at half or full cock, it would not have 
occurred. 

Even the breech loader is not altogether free from liability to 
accident. 

A few weeks since I handed my gun for five minutes to a youth 
to hold, while I was away to get a drink of water.. I took pre- 
caution to draw the shells, but the young hopeful amused himself 
by cocking and hitting the hammers upon the strikers, and as 
there were no shells the force drove the pins further than usual, 
and the spiral spring failed to throw one of them back again into 
its place. 

On replacing the shells I did not observe the projecting pin, 
and on closing the gun it pressed upon the primer, causing the 
cartridge to explode, and I had to thank God that the muzzle 
was pointed in a proper direction, which most likely saved the 
life of one of the party of men and dogs. 

Since writing the above, I attended a small shooting match in 
the country, to which I was invited to act as referee, and although 
perhaps not more than 50 or 60 persons present, I met with four 
that had been the victims of gun accidents, admittedly through 
sheer negligence. 

The first had his hand shockingly mutilated from a shell 
bursting when he was de-capping it. He had lost the thumb and 
two fingers entirely. The second had a hole drilled out through 
the center of the palm of the hand from the gun exploding in a 
somewhat similar way to the accident described in a foregoing 
page — hand over muzzle, but this case resulted more distressingly 
than even the other, for it left him with paralysis of the entire 
arm, so that he will never be able to raise his hand to his mouth 
again. 

The third was totally blinded in one eye from the gun of a 
companion being discharged in his direction while duck hunting. 
The fourth was a case of holding the fingers over a loaded barrel 
while filling the other. The lock was worn, and the concussion 



31 

or shake in ramming a hard wad in a foul gun caused an explo' 
sion and carried away nearly the whole of thumb and two fingers. 
There may even have been others among the company present 
who could have related piteous and woeful tales of misery resulting 
from foolish and incautious use of firearms, but it did not occur to 
me to inquire for them. 



In the earlier editions I omitted to warn my readers against the use of mixed 
shot. My attention has been directed to it from having received several letters 
asking my opinion on that subject. 

If you use a mixture of sizes it is obvious that as the heavy shot travels faster 
than the light the larger shots, if behind, will either bump against the smaller 
from increased velocity, destroying the force of both and causing them to fall to 
the ground before reaching the object ; or, if it should not strike directly behind, 
will cause the smaller shot to scatter in all directions and interfere with others out 
of line. It is advisable therefore to uSe shot that is not only regular in size and 
shape, but in weight. I am of opinion that to the irregularity of shot more than 
to anything else is to be attributed the great diiTerence of pattern and count with 
the same gun at different times — and to the fact that sometimes 20 or 25 per cent, 
of the shot by actual count are lost altogether from collision and consequent 
dropping — where the shot is irregular in size. 



32 



REMARKS ON PIGEON SHOOTIItG. 



Pigeon shooting from the trap is now becoming a great insti- 
tution in this country, and from the immense gatherings of 
splendid shots that I have seen, it would become exceedingly 
popular I think if the system of increased distances at handicaps 
and five ground traps was generally introduced. 

The principal argument T find advanced against the gi-ound 
trap is that the birds here will not rise well from them, forgetting 
that it is natural for a bird to try for liberty. 

There is, indeed, good reason why they do not fly when the 
tfap is loosed, for the poor birds are too often physically inca- 
pable from bad treatment and neglect. 

If they were as expensive here as in England they would be 
better looked after. Coming from a journey, birds should have a 
day or two of rest in a good barn, with a plentiful supply of water 
and sand ; should have double the present room given them in 
traveling, the coops beirjg high enough to stand up in and move 
freely. 

Pigeons should be kept in a large, well ventilated barn, with 
small, round perches not more than ^ to f inch in thickness, and 
not allowed to be seen or approached by any one except the 
usual feeder. 

Three or four times every day tame birds should be well 
scared by being driven in the barn with either a noisy whip or 
a switch that will hit without hurting them, and lead them to 
expect a whipping every time they see a person, but wild birds 
should be kept as quiet as possible. 

Wicker baskets or hampers are best when on the shooting 
ground to protect them from the sun and allow free ventilation, 
without exposing them to the view of spectators. 



33 

The wildest looking birds, and those of cleanly and healthy 
appearance should be selected for present use. 

Birds should be fed regularly and very moderately, morning and 
evening, with a mixture of all sorts of grain and seeds available, 
and supplied at all times, with some such as the following mixture : 

A peck of old building mortar. 

A peck of crushed bricks. 

A peck of good fresh sand or small gravel. 

One and a half pounds of Cumin seed. 

Quarter pound of bay salt, well mixed and a little given fresh 
every day. 

Water should be provided at least once per day in clean vessels 
so made, that being shallow in some parts, the birds can bathe 
freely. 

In selecting for the trap, every squab and sickly, weak bird 
should be rejected and put into a separate room, which should 
serve as a hospital, as it is far better to keep such birds at home 
for a short time until they can fly, than to irritate and annoy the 
shooter with such trash, for they are equally unsatisfactory 
whether with plunge or ground traps. 

Feed is cheap enough in this country that to keep them a few 
days would not be so serious an expense, and would be compen- 
sated for by not having any of them refused as being non-flyers. 

I think it would be a very excellent plan to clip the tails of wild 
birds at the time of catching them, and before being cooped at 
all. It would prevent their getting filth and dirt upon the feathers 
and I am quite certain that the birds leave the traps much better 
and more regular with the tails a little shortened, and more 
particularly so with the long, swallow-tailed male birds. 

Wild birds will be sure to fly well from traps, if not exhausted 
from traveling and want of food and water. 

Many tame birds, either from being young or from hftvingbeen 
home bred and constantly near to human beings, will not care to 
fly either from ground or plunge traps ; for if thrown from the lat- 
ter they generally turn to the ground in a moment, and more par- 
ticularly so if dead birds are allowed ungathered near the traps. 



34 

Tame birds will almost sure fly to the nearest building ; it is 
advisable to place the traps so that in getting towards it the bird 
will be going straight away. 

After keeping some 250 wild birds for two weeks perfectly 
■quiet, I found they went from traps much faster when fed only 
■once per day ; for if allowed unlimited food a pigeon will become 
fat and lazy in a few days, for want of exercise. 

I would, however, recommend that the barn where wild birds 
are kept should have a stretched canvass under the roof to pre- 
vent their being injured from flying upwards when scared, and 
striking the head against the top of the room. 

In the Bogardus-Rimell, liucas-Price, and Bogardus-Jewett 
matches at wild birds, out of 1,300 trapped, only 13 turned to- 
wards the shooters and were killed inside the circle of the traps. 
The new ground traps, where the bird is put in at the back and 
cannot turn, were used on those occasions. See advertisement. 

The wild pigeon acts as nearly as possible like the English 
starling, and is very little larger than the common dove of Eng- 
land. He is off like a shot when the trap opens, and is, there- 
fore, exactly suited for ground traps. 

My opinion has often been asked as to the difference between 
the wild bird of this country and the English blue rock ; so called 
because originally they were bred in the holes in the rocks of 
quarries, on the northeast coast of England. 

The principal of the best birds now obtained for the London 
Gun Clubs, are from the large farmers in Lincolnshire, where houses 
are very thinly scattered. The high price paid for them for heavy 
matches, induces them to breed only from the small blue bird, 
although some of the white ones are equally fast and good, and 
calculated to flurry a shooter if one is occasionally introduced. 

The rock is unquestionably stronger than the wild bird, but is 
considerably larger, and after seeing some good wild birds trap- 
ped in the Bogardus-Rimell matches at New York and Pitts- 
burg, and recently in the Lucas-Price matches at St. Louis, I am 
decidedly of opinion that if the wild birds are in really good con- 
dition, they are quite as difficult to make a score with as the best 
English rock. It is useless to disguise the fact, however, that 
bii'ds are seldom trapped here in good order; they frequently are 



35 

sent by express five or six hundred miles, and suffer badly from 
fright and privation, and are seldom taken from the coops in 
which they travel until trapped. 

Birds should be fed and well watered as near to the time of 
shooting as convenient, and have water at the coops, if possible, 
in very hot weather, and not be exposed to sun or rain. 

The tails should be cropped about an inch to keep them free 
from wet and dirt in traveling, and if not required for shooting 
■that day, they should be loosed in the barn before sundown to 
allow for feeding time. 

A little well soaked corn is a good substitute, if it is. not con- 
venient to water them in the coops. 

With a plunge trap not one bird in three ever makes an effort 
to fly. They are jerked, or rather plunged into the air, just as a 
dead cat might be ; and are shot at when they have reached the 
highest point, or as they are dropping, and before they have had 
time to extend the wings. 

There is not a shadow of a pretext for saying that such child' s 
play is any criterion of ability in the field; as it is not known 
there the exact spot from which the bird will rise, and there birds 
■do not fly downwards as is nearly always the case from the plunge 
trap. 

Just one little bit of advice to promoters of shooting tourna- 
ments in this country: 

While I am quite willing to give every credit for the great 
trouble and expense bestowed upon the general arrangements for 
the comfort and pleasure of the visitors, they seem altogether to 
overlook the principal thmg, and that is the condition of the birds 
to be used. It is very like the play of Hamlet with the principal 
character omitted. 

An extra outlaj'of $50 for a good barn would not be too much 
to be expected, when, as I have been told, it is not an unusual 
thing for a profit of from $500 to $1,000 to be made on a tourna- 
ment, besides the advantage to the town where it is held. 

In Europe, theparty furnishing the birds also traps and handles 
them, and every bird hanging when the trap is pulled over, is 
refused and not faid for. That is the proper system to get birds 
that can fly. So long as plunge traps are tolerated, one bird is as 



3G 

good as another if it is not actually dead when carried to the trap. 
I saw at a shoot a few days since the boys took the birds to the 
traps by the wings. 

I was referee lately at a plunge trap match, where on a bird 
being challenged for shot marks and picked, the shoulder wasfound 
to be broken. There was no trace of shot marks, but some blood 
issued from a feather hole in plucking, the color of which and of 
the wound satisfied me that the injury had been caused quite 24 
hours before. No question could have arisen with the ground 
trap because the bird could not have left the ground. 

The five trap handicap system causes a little more trouble for 
the scorers and managers, and requires a little time to get 
appreciated, but when once thoroughly understood it will be 
enjoyed. It has entirely superseded the H. & T. one trap, one 
barrel plan in Europe, and nothing else is now known there. The 
plunge traps have never been seen there but they would not be 
tolerated, as they shoot for money and bet largely, therefore, a 
bird must fly or be refused. 

Club competition in teams is thoroughly an American institu- 
tion and a most enjoyable and sociable style of contesting among 
gunners, worthy of every encouragement if conducted upon more 
just and equitable terms than I have observed. 

I would not have each team shoot off all their bii"ds in a squad 
as at present, because much favoritism can be shown. One team 
may shoot when the weather, birds, wind, light and every other 
circumstance may be in their favor, and another may shoot when 
the sun is in their eyes, or when exhausted, and when the ele- 
ments, birds and everything else is against them. 

Let the whole company of contestants shoot separate and 
distinct as in an ordinary sweepstakes, and instead of following 
each other at the score as a team., let the position of every shooter 
be put on the list by drawing for places, and each round shot 
through in regular order. By that means the man who supplies 
the birds and the trappers could show no favor. 

The spirit of the competition would be kept up until the end 
of the shoot. The scores of each team could be taken out and 
added tocfethcr for the result. 



37 

Instead of 10,000 or 13,000 birds being required for a week's 
tournament, as it is with plunge traps, and squad shooting in 
classes, adopt the English system of five traps, each bird being 
gathered, and the trap refilled each shot ; birds well prepared to 
fly from ground traps and not thrown into the air and shot at 
when the movement of the bird represents more nearly the gyra- 
tions one might expect if a lobster was used instead of a bird, 
and I feel perfectly satisfied that 99 out of 100 g-enuine sports- 
men would go home better pleased in having seen 50 hundred 
good shots on the vuing than the slaughter of some ten thousand 
half dead, ill-fed birds, tossed mto the air and shot without 
exhibiting the slightest motion of a bird in flight. 

Where will be found the genuine lover of field sports who 
would not rather kill say I3 brace of prairie chickens or quails, or 
even 20 couples of jack snipe, over a brace of good dogs, than 
bag four or five times that quantity of game if driven to the 
muzzle of his gun ? 

So with trap shooting. Give up the idea that sport and enjoy- 
ment consists in the slaughter of the largest given quantity of 
birds, and encourage the practice of less in number, and the 
exnibition of that sort of skill, the excellence of which will qualify 
for the enjoyment of that most exhilerating sport to be found on 
the prairies and in the stubbles. 

A shooting ground ought, on the score of economy, to have a 
good, well-ventilated pigeon house, so that if birds are left over 
they need not be wasted and kept in coops huddled together 
before being required for a shoot. It is far better to have birds 
on hand several days before a tournament than run the risk of 
delay or neglect of expressage and consequent annoyance, to say 
nothing of the better condition of the birds. 

There should be a compartment for tame birds, another with 
canvass lining over head for wild ones, and one for a hospital 
which should have a few perches close to the floor, say about 4 to 6 
inches, as sickly birds are often illtreated by the strong ones, and 
wild and tame birds do not get on well together. 

A barn can be easily put together so that the birds can neither see 
nor be seen. Get lumber 8 feet long and set them upright to over- 
lap each other, one board in front of two, about i^ in. with about 



38 

same distance between outer and inner boards, and make the 
roof in same way. By that means you get perfect ventilation and 
perfect isolation. 

On the ground of humanity, every bird should be gathered 
after each shot, and killed at once. In the Lucas-Price matches, at 
St. Louis, I first introduced dogs to bring in the birds, as it saves 
much time. Lucas' setter Don and my pointer Sancho did the 
work alternately, and nearly every bird was brought in by the time 
the next one was trapped, and a dog shows no favor, but goes 
straight to the bird regardless of the stake depending upon its 
being scored. 

I attended a large club shoot where six or eight boys were 
employed to fill six traps at express speed. The birds were 
thrown into the air by the plunge trap, and after killing them as 
fast as possible all the day, they felt pleasure, I suppose, in 
being able to relate to their friends "who knew nothing about the 
merits how many birds they had killed in a given quantity, and 
that is called sport. 

One of the rules of the club was that the bird should be shot at 
when on the wing, and that the gun should be below the elbow 
ufztil the bird was on the xving. If those rules had been strictly 
observed, not one in lo was rightly scored, for they were shot at 
long before their wings had ever been extended in proper flight, 
such as a bird would take in the field. 

Many birds, especially wild ones, get just the tip of the wing 
broken when caught or in traveling or handling, which can be 
easily observed in ground trap shooting, as, being unable to rise, 
they are rejected, but if thrown from a plunge trap, even if never 
touched with a single shot, they are allowed as a dead bird, and 
it is not at all unlikely where it is known what shooter the bird is 
intended for when trapped, the wing may have been broken 
intentionally. 

In shooting from five traps with a dice, the trapper never can 
tell who will have the bird, therefore no collusion or favoritism 
will avail. 

I was once explaining to the secretary of a large club how 
much better it was to shoot from the ground trap, and he told 



39 

me that the five trap plan was too slow for their club, as the trap 
had to be filled each shot, and they could not kill enough birds. 

Of course, the ground trap shooting does not give the man who 
supplies the birds so much profit as the plunge trap does, but I 
hardly suppose the pigeon purveyor is to be considered to the 
detriment of the whole body of shooters. 

Class shooting not being known except in America, it is per- 
haps well just to explain it. Every man in the shoot proper at 
21 yards has a certain number of birds. All that make a clean 
score go into the first class, and are entitled to shoot off for the- 
first prize at 26 yards. Those that miss one bird shoot off for 
second prize at 26 yards, and those missing two, shoot for 
third prize at 26 yai'ds. If there are any ties in the second con- 
test, all go back next time to 31 yards and remain at that dis- 
tance until shot through, so that the prizes do not go to the best 
shots. It is a delusion and a snare to induce a novice to believe 
that he has a ehance of winning. 

The system is open to many very serious objections. A man 
who can not kill more than 8 birds out of 10 at 3 i yards rise from 
the plunge trap, has no right to expect a prize iox good shooting, 
which should be the object in all competitions. 

It is not usual in other sports. In horse racing, only the best 
get prizes ; whereas, here the second best gets nothing. It is 
also open to collusion, for you will often find that 3 or 
4 of the very best shots '"''form a fool^'" and instead of 
honestly contesting for the first prize, they agree before starting 
to divide winnings, and then some intentionally miss one, two or 
three birds, as the case may require, by carefully watching the 
score book. 

The ordinar}' shooter or novice who has scored his eight birds, 
finds himself in the ties at an increased distance, competing with 
men who would on their merits be in the first class ; therefore, 
unless some accident occurs, this clique or ring of sportsmen 
pocket nearly, if not all the prizes, and quietly divide them 
equally afterwards. 

This little game is played nearly everywhere; not only by 
so-called professional shots, but as much by those whose position 
and pretensions should place them above suspicion. A man may 



40 

argue that he has a right to miss one or more birds if he likes ; 
but I maintain that he has no such //(^er/j/ according to all notions 
of propriety. So soon as he enters the arena of public com- 
petition, he becomes, so to speak, a public man ; and his acts are 
open to public criticism. The spirit and meaning of all com- 
petition is, that every one should do his best, and the shooter who 
kills his eight out of lo birds, becomes properly and justly enti- 
tled to contest for the third prize. But if another man inten- 
tionally misses two birds and gets into the third class, he com- 
mits a wilful and deliberate fraud upon every man who has to 
meet him in the ties for that prize. 

I do not find fault with class shooting if honestly carried out ; 
the shoot proper being merely a trial from which to obtain a 
handicap of three classes ; but after having found the exact hand- 
icap of each shooter, the three prizes ought to be of equal value 
to make it fair and just ; after all that is done you cannot tell 
whether every one has shot honestly and square in the trial ; that 
is the weak point, and there is no remedy for it. 

An owner of race horses may say that he has a right to lose a 
race if he thinks proper, but in England the Jockey Club steps in 
and says '"''your horse is public property so soon as he comes 
under our rules,'"'' and then let him lose a race intentionally and 
be detected, he would never have a chance to run another horse, 
nor would the jockey be allowed to ride one. 

I say, therefore, that it is far better to do away with such con- 
ditions altogether, if they encourage roguery and deceit, and 
shoot under rules that can offer no inducement for anything but 
straightforward, honest competition. No other country in the 
world can produce such a lot of fine shots as there are here ; it 
puzzles me, therefore, how such an enlightened body of sports- 
men should have tolerated class shooting for such a length of 
time. Let the prizes be given to the three or more best shots, to 
be shot out bird for bird after the ties, if any, and save tnne and 
expense of pigeons. Under the present system, too much is ex- 
pended on the birds in shooting off ties, leaving very little for the 
winners in ordinary sweeps. 

In order to give a reasonable chance to an inferior shot, let all 
be handicapped according to ability, at from 24 to 30 yards rise ; 



41 

and if the man at 24 yards is not a match for the very best at 30 
yards, he cannot be said to have sufficient ability to expect reward 
in any competition. 

There cannot be a greater fallacy than for an inferior shot to 
suppose himself on equal terms with a champion, because there 
are several classes ; as many prizes as are given, so many first 
class men will go for them, and it is unfair then for him to sub- 
scribe an equal amount to the pool. 

With a moderate entry of, say 50, at any State tournament, 
it is 1,000 to I against a novice getting a prize, unless he hap- 
pens to have a score to himself unnoticed, and not have to shoot 
off the ties. 

If a novice wanted a match single handed for money, the first 
class man would lay him $500 to $50, knowing it is 500 to i 
against his winning at equal distances ; and that nothing short of 
some accident could pi-event the giver of odds from taking it. 
But if properly handicapped, every man can stand a fair and 
equal chance of getting a prize, as the best can only make a given 
score at five trap shooting at 30 yards, if good birds. 

In horse racing it is well known that weight will bring a pony 
and a race horse on equal terms ; so in handicap pigeon shooting. 
Every man who can use a gun at all, should have 2i good^fair 
and square look in, which he can get in a handicap, and not throw 
his entrance money into a vortex. At present he stands in much 
the same position to a first class shot as a jackal does to the 
lion, simply provides him with food. 

I know of an instance where, at one of the State Tourna- 
ments of 1S79, a fine shot, who actually made the best score of 
the entire week, did not get a prize of a single cent, just because 
he was not in a ring^ and it so fell out, that he, like Haidee in 
Don Juan — 

" Forgot, 
Just at the very moment she should not." 

We wish to see every good, honest sportsman, handle some of 
the chips occasionally, and not find himself $75 or $roo out of 
pocket every time he favors a tournament with his presence. 



42 

Again, to bar a man from shooting because we think him a lit- 
tle better than ourselves, is very poor encouragement for excel- 
lence, and ifs tnean and cowardly in the extreme ; it offers every 
inducement for a shooter to lose intentionally sometimes, so that 
no one should know how good he really is. 

In ordinary general shoots a champion should be put so that 
he may have a chance to win, and then there should also be 
prizes offered sometimes for all on equal terms to give some 
encouragement for ability. 

I could relate two instances at least, where a stranger was act- 
ually barred, or as it was facetiously termed, ruled out^ from an 
open competition for no other reason than that they did not know 
him ; but he was unfortunately in the company of a good shot, 
and it was supposed they thought good shooting was as infectious 
as small pox. 

Ask the " champion wing shot of the world'' if he was ever 
barred^ or ruled out of an open sweepstakes in any of his Euro- 
pean excursions. I expect that he will tell you that not only w,as 
he invited to join in everything on the same terms as their best 
shots, but that when he won he was heartily congratulated on his 
success. 

In trap shooting, holding the gun below elbow until the bird is 
on the wing, is an unnatural and uneasy position ; and I will ven- 
ture my reputation that no one ever carries his gun so when walk- 
ing up to his dogs on game. 

If you wish to make killing more difficult, it might be carried 
so far as to load the gun after the bird has been loosed. I have 
seen men in a position at the trap, that arms, legs and gun, forci- 
bly reminds one of the collapsed sails of a windmill after a tor- 
nado. See sketch on cover. 

Let the shooter hold his gun under the shoulder in as easy a 
position as he would in the field, and keep it there until he says 
"Pull." See sketch on cover. 

It is impossible for the referee, wherever he may be placed, to 
see the gun and the bird at the same instant. It often gives rise 
to dissatisfaction, and leaves the shooter too much at his mercy. 



43 

The very moment the shooter says "pull," the referee can turn to 
see that the bh'd is well on the wing when shot at, under the Eng- 
lish rules. 

It is nothing unusual to see scores of 45 to 48 out of 50 killed, 
at 21 yards, plunge traps, with sickly birds, of which perhaps a 
third or more never could have got over the boundary line any- 
how, if never shot at ; but let the birds be good, and well cared 
for, rise 30 yards from five ground traps, 5 yards apart, and the 
wind behind the birds, and open 80 yards boundary ; and the man 
who kills more than 40 out of his 50, can at once throw down 
the gauntlet for championship. ' 

There can be no pleasure in making the killing of pigeons in 
a competition so great a certainty. With the five trap shooting 
it is more difficult, and tests the skill of the performer to a much 
greater extent. 

Granted, it is perhaps gratifying to see your name in the 
'''■Chicago Field^''^ or some local piaper, with a lot of straight 
strokes instead of duck's eggs, but if all meet on fair terms, merit 
will come to the front. 

In this great country where "Liberty" is on every coin, and 
"Equality," "Fraternity" and "Freedom" is on everyone's 
tongue, all men, so long as they conduct themselves honestly, 
and uprightly, should be welcomed in trials of skill and excel- 
lence. 

" Is he a gentleman, or blackguard ? Which? 
A gentleman! ! He acts as sich! !" 



Nothing could better illustrate the utterly utter absurdity of class shooting 
than the following in "Forest and Stream" answers to correspondents, Dec. 
8, 1881. It speaks for itself. The very idea of a man getting a prize for missing 
every shot ! ! ! 

"Glass Balls.— Please answer the following: A, B, C, D and E engaged 
in a sweepstake match at 5 balls each, 3 prizes, class shooting. A breaks 5, B, 
C and D breaks 4 each and E misses them all. Who is entitled to 3d prize ? 
Ans. E." 

No doubt the answer is correct, for it is quite in keeping with the whole 
system of class shooting ! ! 



44 



HjlNDIC/PPING. 



Every State Association shoukl, before the commencement of 
the shooting season, fix the handicap distance of each member for 
the year, which will continue, subject to any penalties for winning 
under rule 36 of the shooting code. 

The basis for adjusting the distances should be taken as under 
from 24 to 30 yards. 

24 yards, a known uncertain trap shot. 

25 yards, a novice at pigeon shooting. 

26 yards, a good game shot without experience at the trap. 

27 yards, a known good trap shot. 

28 yards, a fine trap shot and private winner, 

29 yards, a large public winner. 

30 yards, a champion shot on the wing. 

Each member should be furnished with a certificate of mem- 
bership of his State Association or Club, on which should be 
stated his handicap shooting distance, so that if he was taking 
part in any tournament outside his own State, the production of 
this certificate would entitle him to shoot at his settled distance, 
otherwise not being known he may expect to be handicapped at 
the extreme distance. The penalties for winning for each day 
will be found in rule 22, and in a tournament the winner of each 
large stake might fairly be penalized say 2 or 3 yards during the 
week, so as to give others a chance. 

I am afraid we are too apt to call any man a professional who 
is a little better shot than ourselves and likely to take from us the 
paltry dollars subscribed to the pool. 

Ask a shooter what is a professional shot.? He will most 
likely reply, giving the name of some one entered against him of 



45 

whom he has a wholesome dread, as being one^ and would join 
in a crusade to rule him out right away on the least intimation 
that he would be backed if he proposed it. 

It reminds me of an answer I saw once as to the difference 
between orthodoxy and heterodoxy. Orthodoxy is my doxy, and 
heterodoxy is any body else's doxy. 

Some time since, I attended a shoot at Wenona, Ills., at con- 
siderable expense, and was ruled out of an open sweepstakes, on 
the ground that if I was not th':n a professional I would be next 
week, as I was advertised to shoot Bogardus for the champion- 
ship of the world in a few days afterwards. At Indianapolis I 
was asked to withdraw from a sweepstakes on the promise that I 
should certainly shoot in the next^ but although there were some 
twelve or fifteen shot in the first, not a single man would enter 
against me for the second. 

Referring to professional shots: I should very much like to 
know what a professional shot is that, he should be barred or 
ruled out of an open shot in this free country.^ 

If it is that to get a living at trap shooting constitutes a profes- 
sional shot, I have never yet met with one that could succeed 
in the business in England. A few that have tried it might, 
perhaps, be found in the county poor houses. 

Whether a man kills game and sends it to market or gives it 
away, it makes very little difference ; there are many who are 
constantly hunting, who are not thought professionals or market 
hunters, who are, from constant practice, enabled to take most of 
the club prizes from others who, perhaps, handle a gun about 
once a month. 

This difference of skill and ability cannot be remedied by class 
shooting, but handicapping will give each a fair chance. 

There are lots of instances where men shoot matches for 
money, and do not hesitate to share the proceeds of the gate, and 
yet maintain their positions in high toned clubs. If a shooter of 
lower grade does the same thing, he is dubbed a professional at 
once. 



46 

I knew I would not be called a professional shot in my own 
country, so I thought I could get some exact information by ask- 
ing the question from the " Chicago Field," and I got the follow- 
ing verys traight and highly sensible reply. 

TRAP SHOOTING. 

" W. G. p. — Let me know in your next what constitutes the 
difference between a "professional pigeon shot " and an " ama- 
teur pigeon shot." Ans. — A professional trap shot is one who 
makes his living mainly or entirely by trap shooting. An ama- 
teur is one who shoots occasionally for his own sport. An 
amateur loses his title to be called an amateur as soon as he 
engages in any contest for added money, purse, prize or gate 
money in which a professional is engaged. But the line of 
demarcation is not drawn in this country in this sport as it is in 
other sports, for if it were so drawn and enforced, there would be 
few of our crack shots that could lay just claim to be called! 
amateurs.'-' 

After that I need not say anything, except that the sooner the 
term is dropped the better, for there is scarcely a good shot in the 
country that has not at some time or other been directly or indi- 
rectly tainted with the pi-ofessional disease. 

As well might a lot of lawyers or doctors endeavor to prevent 
another who, from extra study and assiduity, or a little more 
knowledge, has acquired a local reputation and is enabled there- 
by to command larger fees and increased business, Jrom prach's- 
ing against them, as for a man to be prevented shooting for 
prizes because he has attained a little more skill than others. One 
of these days we shall hear of an amateur runner being 
objected to, and on being questioned : " Did you not run against 
' Time ' a few weeks ago .? " I did. " Did not ' so and so ' the 
professional run also against 'Time' for money?" He did. 
Then, as you contended against "Time," and "Time" had 
previously contended against a professional for money, you must,, 
of course, be one. You are ruled out, sir." Not at all worse 
than I was served at Wenona. 

Since writing the above, I came across a singular case in the 
" Chicago Field " of yesterday, Sept. iSth: 



47 

Not long since I noticed in an account of a large State shoot, 
I am inclined to think it was in Iowa, but cannot be sure, that a 
well known sportsman who, by some good fortune, took the first 
money on the first day's shooting, was barred at a meeting of the 
Association that same evening as being a professional shot. 

I have not the pleasure of being intimate with him, but I thought 
at the time it was a very unsportsmanlike proceeding, for, having 
noticed his scores at different shoots since I have been in this 
country, I imagine that he has been as much \\\q. j ackal and spent 
as much money freely in pigeon shooting as any man in his State. 

Now, I notice with pleasure that this sportsman upon whom 
the injustice was practiced, is announced in conjunction with four 
real honorables and one real captain as a judge at a large State 
Association field trials, to commence this montho One of the 
gentlemen connected with the "Chicago Field" was complimented 
with the offer of a similar appointment, but was reluctantly 
obliged to decline the honor in consequence of his position on 
that journal. 

Since the above remarks upon " professional shots " were writ- 
ten, I notice in the Chicago Field a challenge, which I cannot 
refrain from making some allusion to ; and as it is an open offer, 
I presume I am at liberty to refer to it. 

"A Challenge. — The St. Louis Gun Club have authorized 
us to make the following challenge : The club will shoot ten 
men against the same number of men, who have been members 
of any regularly organized club six months' previous to the date 
of this challenge (professionals and market-shooters barred) for 
one thousand dollars a side ; thirty wild birds each man, ten at 21 
yards, ten at 26 yards, and ten at 31 yards rise, plunge traps. 
The match to be shot in St. Louis, and twenty dollars allowed 
each man for traveling expenses. Gate money to be divided, and 
the winning side to pay for the birds." 

If ever a challenge was issued more strongly flavored with the 
professional elevnent^ I never saw it. 20 gentlemen, members of 
high-toned Gun Clubs, dividing g-ate money\ Again, twenty 
dollars to be allowed each gentleman for traveling expenses. 
Now if such challenge had stipulated that the match was to be 
shot for the '■''proud title of supremacy ^''^ choice of place to be 



48 

decided by tossing, free admission to the public, and each man to 
pay his own expenses, cost of birds, and a good dinner and wine 
afterwai'ds, I could appreciate it. 

The conditions here are such that the verriest exhibition shooter, 
whose sole existence depended upon his gun, could not have been 
made to appear more like a money-making transaction than this 
one does. 

Again, what has the ■poor market hunter done, that he is to be 
lowered in the scale of creation^ and not thought fit to consort 
with your club man? Is this a Republican doctrine? I cannot de- 
tect what difference it makes to a farmer whether your high-toned 
hunter or your market hunter^ kills his game and takes it off his 
land. I should not be at all surprised if your market-hunter does 
not leave more game behind him at the farm houses than the 
others, at least it is what* I have learned from my intercourse with 
the farmers themselves. On one point there is a marked differ- 
ence. If a farmer politely asks a market-hunter not to trespass 
on his land, he keeps a civil tongue in his head^ and heeds the 
warning, because he can not afford to pay $35 in fine and costs 
for trespass. Not so with your rich man to whom $25 is as a 
flea bite. He often considers himself perfectly justified in abus^ 
ing the man who is endeavoring to protect his own rights, and 
indulging in language not fit for ears polite. 

I was brought up in what is called an exclusive school., but I 
have been here long enough to see that among the many very 
jolly, good-hearted sportsmen I have met, there will of necessity 
be, or rather there are, some few of the veriest exclusivists that 
would dp well to mix with the staunchest Conservative or Tory 
that my country could produce. 

Should the challenge be taken up, and the names of the 20 shoot- 
ers be made known, it is considerable odds that 15 of the 20 will be 
found, either by direct or collateral evidence, to have joined in a 
contest for a money prize., either with an acknowledged profes- 
sional shot, or with some one who from having engaged in a 
similar way, with those who may inadvertently have become con- 
taminated, and are, according to the dictum of the Chicaga 
Field., to all intents and purposes, professionals themselves. 



49 

There can be no half measures ; the line, if drawn at all, must 
be drawn straight, and there is no getting out of it. 

If they get tarred with the professional brush it will stick to 
them. 

I confess from what I have seen, and as far as I am a judge of 
shooting, that I do not think any club in the United States, could 
send ten men that would have any chance with the St. Louis 
Gun Club. 

The question is. 

Can the St. Louis Gun Club find ten first class men to come 
within the conditions? Perhaps they do not intend it to apply to 
themselves. 

Chicago could find the men, perhaps, but their best shots are 
split up into so many little clubs for the purposes of qualification 
for team shoots at the State Tournaments, in consequence of the 
very absurd rule that prevents a club from sending more than one 
team, that no one club there could furnish ten first class shots. 

I would much like to know what some of my blue-blooded 
countrymen, who shot matches with Bogardus when in England, 
would say if they were to be called " professional pigeon shots." 

I would just casually mention \\\?it gate money is not known in 
England, among ordinary pigeon shooters. 

The admissions paid by the public go to augment the club 
funds and provide handsome silver cups and international tro- 
phies which are given to be shot for free, weekly, during the 
whole season. 



[From the Chicago Fields Oct. 33, 1880.] 

"WhAt IS A Professional .? — The challenge of the St. Louis 
Gun Club, published in our last issue, has brought us several 
inquiries, whom the club consider professional trap shooters. 
To express the views of the club on that subject is not within our 
power ; but having been also requested to state what we consider 
constitutes a professional, we have no hesitancy in saying that a 
man can be regarded as a professional only, who makes his liv- 
ing by trap shooting; in other words, one whose business is trap 
shooting. * The fact that a man has shot for money does not, at 



53 

the present day, constitute a professional, for if so, there would 
be very few who shoot at the trap who would not be professionals, 
as every man who has shot in a tournament would be one. 
Whether for five dollars or five hundred, does hot make any dif- 
ference. The time was when such a distinction could be made ; 
but, like many other rules, the current of events has completely 
obliterated it. And how gate money has any beai'ing on the 
question, we fail to see. Who, for instance, would claim Mr. W. 
B. Hauworth and Mr. J. B. Lucas to be professionals.? Each 
has shot for a large stake and for gate money, and is in business 
and shoots at the trap for pleasure ; neither makes his living by 
it. On this subject we shall have more to say at a future time, 
as it is a most important one to trap shooters, and is constantly 
coming up at tournaments and causing much annoyance to those 
whose only claim to be considered professionals is, that they are 
a good shot." 

It will be seen the bold challenge of the St. Louis Club has 
opened up a controversy which I hope will be the means, before 
the trap shooting seasop. commences, of once and for all settling 
this question. The Club should reply. The above sensible ar- 
ticle has just /lif the right nail on the head, the whole secret lies 
in the concluding 14 words. Although invitations are issued by 
advertisements to induce most good and noted shots to attend 
tournaments in order to draw a crowd of visitors, if a man travels 
some hundreds of miles, it matters little whether he wear's blue 
jeans or the orthodox hunting suit, it is 10 to i if he is a good 
shot, and likely to win a prize or two, that he gets bari'ed or 
ruled out. • 

Away with such petty, miserable subterfuges, once and forever, 
and throw the whole thing open to the world in the interest of 
sport and friendship, as the Louisville Kentucky Sportsmen's 
Club does. Since the earlier editions the match referred to has 
taken place. Fifteen men of the Chicago Shooting Club shot 
against fifteen of the St. Louis Gun Club, at St. Louis, July 7, 
1883. The conditions were 30 wild birds each man, viz: 10 at 
31, 10 at 36 and 10 at 31 yards rise, plunge traps. St. Louis 



51 

scored 366 and Chicago 357 out of a possible 450. Certainly not 
a brilliant score for those distances and one trap. Of the St. Louis 
team, H. C. Pieixe, J. C. Addington and S. C. Edgar, usually 
fine shots, made poor scores. Abner Price and Abe Kleinman, 
on the Chicago side, were far below their usual form. I expect 
to see a different resultinthe return match whenever it takes place. 

I cannot conclude without tendering my heartfelt thanks to a 
large number of sportsmen and others I have met with during 
three years hunting in this country, for much kindly expression of 
good feeling and welcome. 

In offering my opinions on little shooting matters, at very likely 
their full value, 25c., I have no desire to thrust my enthusiasms 
upon anybody, although I have been accused of doing so, and 
been told that as an alien I have no right to offer an opinion. 
No great harm can come from it, however, and some little good 
might. Not a single' word is written with the least unfriendly 
feeling towards anybody. If I write apparently strongly, it is, 
perhaps, my failing to feel what I write ^ and wi-ite what I feel. 

My desire is — 

To see class shooting abolished as encouraging fraud. 

To do away with any distinction between professional and 
other shooters, as impracticable and impolitic. 

To discontinue plunge traps, as -piierile and unsportsmanlike. 

To adopt ground traps and handicap distances, so as to give 
every shooter ■Si fair chance of winning. 

To have birds better cared for and trapped in good condition., 
and the object of this little publication will have been attained. 

Go forth my little book^ from this thy solitude.^ 

I cast thee on the xvorld — 

Where after many days^ perhaps., there may spring forth 

Such heaps of blossoms that 

'•'■Bosh^'" says a sporting fiend ^ looking over my shoulder 
while I am writing, '■'•much more likely to find it lining some 



52 

new trunks wrapping up caramels^ or butter at the corner 
shop!" 

Away with it to the d 1 at once, and let it take its chance ! 

I mean the printers imp of that name, of course. This, after all 
my trouble? My heart is bursting! ! I can no more!! 

Very faithfully, 

GWYNNE PRICE. 




Gwynne Price's New English-Model Improved Ground Trap 
for Pigeon Shooting. 

(See first page of Adyertisements.) 

PIGEON SHOOT AT SAN FRANCISCO.— " The ground traps of the 
St. Louis pigeon shooter, author and sportsman, Gwynne Price, were used. They 
are simple in their mechanism, consisting of wrought-iron boxes, so fixed that as 
soon as the string is pulled the four sides of the box fall flat. The birds are put 
in the trap through a round hole in the rear. The traps have a wide grating in 
front, which allows the bird to see where he is going to, while the narrowness of 
his temporary prison prevents him from turning round and flying in the face of the 
shooter. These traps are a vast improvement upon the old-fashioned plunges. In 
the first place they give the bird some option as to his flight; in the second, they 
do not give a bird that sudden shock which in a plunge trap makes it hesitate for 
several seconds and enables a snap shot to shoot at a stationary object ; thirdly, 
shooting birds from ground traps more closely resembles field shooting than any 
other trap-shooting extant The birds were as a whole a good strong lot, and 
showed a keen appreciation of the pleasure of living by doing their utmost to 
escape, even when cut through and through by the merciless pellets. The gold 
medal of the club was won by that noted field shot, John K. Orr, who, shooting 
with great coolness and judgment, made a straight score of 12. Next to him 
came Randall, scoring lO,"— [From San Francisco paper, August, i88i. 



RULES 



FOR 



PIGEON SHOOTING 

FROM 

FIVE GROUND TRAPS, 

BY 

GWYNNE PRICE, 

Sportsmen's Club, St. Louis, Mo. 



The following rules for pigeon shooting from five ground 
traps, have been very carefully compiled ; and it is claimed they 
will more fnlly meet all requirements, than any before publish- 
ed. 

It will be observed that the shooter has been given the benefit 
of any error or doubt, where interference or wrong doing is sus- 
pected. 

Thus, if two birds are loosed instead of one, it is calculated to 
mislead him ; so that if he shoots and kills, the bird is scored ; 
but if he misses -he will have another bird, because it may have 
been done purposely to annoy or baffle him. 

Again, if a bird refuses to fly in moderate time^ the party sup- 
plying it should bear the loss as he is paid for good birds. 

It should be clearly understood that it is no part of the duty of 
a contestant to challenge any bird, or in fact any condition. 

It is absolutely the business of the referee to conduct the whole 
shooting, to notice the holding of the gun, and carry out the gen- 
eral rules, and more than anything, to see that the bird \% fully and 



fairly on the wtn^- when shot at, not merely struggling along the 
ground using wings and legs, but to be legitimately Jiying, and 
if not killed under such circumstances, another bird should be 
ordered. Also to have every bird gathered before giving his de- 
cision. But if a shooter wilfully shoots at a sitting bird with his 
first barrel, it should be scored a lost bird. 

Al'l minor matters, such as interference with the shooter or 
shooting at a bird by a scout, must be left entirely to the referee 
to decide according to circumstances. His decisions being subject 
to revision, if unfairly given, as per rule 29. 

Apropos of guns and ammunition, the following rule recently 
adopted by the Hurlingham Gun Club, of London, will not find 
many admirers in the United States : "After June 17th, the weight 
of guns shall be limited to 7 pounds 8 ounces, the charge of pow- 
der to be limited to 3 1-2 drachms, and soft shot only to be used ; 
no chilled shot or concentrators to be allowed." 

Rule i. Traps. How Placed. — Shooting to be from five 
ground traps, placed five yards apart, the centre trap in a direct 
line in front of the shooter, and if practicable, the traps so 
placed that the birds will have the benefit of the wind behind 
them. 

Rule 2. Traps. How Pulled. — The number of the trap 
pulled to be decided by die, or by wads marked i to 5, drawn by 
the referee, after the shooter has advanced to the score, and shown 
privately to puller. 

Rule 3. Traps. When Pulled. —^V^fhen ready, the shooter 
shall say/e^//, and the trap shall be instantly opened. 

Rule 4. Pulling. Falsely. — If from any cause more than 
one bird shall be loosed at the same time, anyone or more be 
killed, one bird shall be scored, and if missed, another bird shall 
be allowed fiee of cost. 

Rule 5. Pulling. Notice. — If the trap is pulled before 
proper notice from the shooter, he may take or refuse the bird ; but 
if he shoots., he must abide by the consequences. 

Rule 6. Holding Gun. — The gun shall be held fairly down 
from the shoulder, until the word pull is given ; and the bird shall 
be shot at when fully on the wing., with the first barrel ; after 



which the second barrel may be used as the shooter likes, without 
leaving his position. 

Rule 7. Bird. Flying. — Should the bird refuse to fly in 
moderate time, the referee shall, if requested by the shooter, call 
a no bird, and another shall be trapped without cost, and the die 
thrown again. 

Rule 8. Bird on Ground. — A bird deliberately shot at on the 
ground with the first barrel shall be scored lost ; but the referee 
may order another bird, at the shooter's expense, if he has any 
doubt. 

. Rule 9. Size oj^ Gun. — Guns shall not exceed ii-borefor 
muzzle-loaders, and lo-bore for breech loaders. 

Rule 10. Shot Charge. — Charge of shot shall not exceed i\ 
oz. Dixon's full measure 1006 or 1007 ; and no wire cartridges 
shall be used. 

Rule ii. Shot Challenge. — Any contestant may challenge 
the loading of a shooter as he goes to the score, and shall deposit 
five dollars as a guarantee of good faith. If the charge is found 
to be unfair, the shooter shall be disqualified ; but if his gun was 
properly loaded, he shall be entitled to the five dollars so de- 
posited. 

Rule 12. Shot Marks. — A bird shot at when fairly on the 
wing, and gathered, shall not be challenged for shot marks. 

Rule 13. Miss- Fire. — A miss-fire will be considered no shot, 
provided the gun is properly loaded and cocked, and another bird 
shall be trapped at shooter's cost. 

Rule 14. Miss-Fire, First Barrel. — If the first barrel miss- 
fire, and the second barrel is used, the bird shall be scored ; or if 
the second barrel miss-fire, another bird shall be had at the 
shooter's cost ; the first barrel being fired with powder only after 
the bird is on the wing. 

Rule 15. Gathering. — Every bird must be gathered by hand 
after each shot, either by the shooter or his deputy, in reasonable 
time, and without going over the boundary line. If a dog is 
used, the bird shall be scored if once fairly caught, and if the 
bird should perch within the boundary, the shooter or deputy may 
assist the dog. 



Rule i6. Boundary. — If the enclosure is the boundary, and 
a bh'd closes.his wings on top of the fence, or reaches the roof or 
cover of any fixed erection inside the grounds higher than the 
fence, it is a lost bird. 

Rule 17. Boundary., Doubtful. — Should a bird fall within 
the boundary, and the referee be unable to decide whether it 
has been over the line, he may order another bird at shooter's 
expense. 

Rule 18. Fine for Shooting. — Shooting at a bird within the 
boundary before it shall have been scored lost, by any other than 
the shooter, without his consent., shall be punishable by a fine of 
five dollars, and added to the first prize. 

Rule 19. Unloading Guns. — The gun shall not be fully 
loaded, or capped, until the shooter is at the mark ; and if the 
second barrel is not used, it must be uncapped or unloaded before 
returning. 

Rule 20. Danger. — If a bird flies so that to shoot in proper 
time would endanger life or property, the referee may order 
another bird without cost. 

Rule 21. Double Birds. — In shooting at two birds, they may 
be loosed from one or two traps. Both birds may be killed at one 
shot, if on the wing. It is not necessary for both birds to be fly- 
ing at the same time ; but if the second bird refuses to fly, two 
others shall be trapped without cost. The distance should be by 
handicap, each shooter going in five yards nearer than at single 
bird shooting. 

Rule 22. Distances. — Shooting to be all at a given distance, 
or by a handicap of from 24 to 30 yards rise, according to merit. 
A winner of any sweepstakes with five or more shooters, shall be 
put back one yard for each and every win during that day, until 
he shall have reached the 30 yards limit, and if any shooter at 30 
yards wins a like prize, the others shall go in one yard. 

Rule 23. Entry. — No person shall be allowed to join in a 
sweepstakes after the first bird in the second round shall have 
been shot at, unless he arrived on the grounds too late to enter at 
proper time, and then only by consent of fhe majority of the 
contestants. 



Rule 24. Position on Card. — The position of the shooters 
shall be decided by drawing, if demanded.^ and each round shot 
through in regular order ; any shooter not being ready in reason- 
able time, shall forfeit his right in the match. 

Rule 25. Sweepstakes. — Sweepstakes of $1 to be miss and 
out; $2, 3 birds each, one miss wait; and $5, 6 birds each, two 
misses wait. 

Rule 26. Winning' Penalty. — A winner of a prize of $100 
or more, at one time, shall be put back one yard in his regular 
handicap for every such win. 

Rule 27. Ties. — All ties, except in matches, when all bets 
are off., are to be shot off same time, same number of birds, and 
same distances, unless mutually agreftd to be miss and out, or 
divided ; a majority in the ties to rule. 

Rule 28. Division of Stakes. — Moneys to be divided be- 
tween the three best shots, in the proportion of 50, 30 and 20 
per cent., after deducting cost of birds. 

Rule 29. Appeal. — The decision of the referee shall at all 
times be upheld, unless on a, question of fact or construction oj 
the rules., a majority of three-fifths of the shooters shall be in 
favor of the appellant, by a private ballot, taken by the scorer on 
the spot, and before another bird is shot at. 

These rules are published in a separate form for the pocket. 
Mailed free for 5 cents, stamps, by G^VYNNE Price, St. Louis, 
Mo. 



GWYNNE PRICE'S 

NEWLY DISCOVERED 

LIYEE MEDICINE. 



The principal ingredient in the composition of this wonderful cure 
for Chills, Malarial Fever, and all Liver Complaints, was found by 
Gwynne Price when hunting. It is from a plant grown in the bottoms^ 
of Illinois and Missouri, which, in combination with several other 
properties, form together a medicine which acts upon the liver power- 
fully, yet soothingly, in such a direct and extraordinary manner that two 
or three doses only will accomplish more than any other remedy can do in 
months, and is so harmless that it is just as beneficial and may be taken by 
a child. 

Any ordinary cases of Malarial Fever, Chills, Piles, Costiveness, 
Biliousness, Dyspepsia, Children's Fevers, etc., cui-ed by two or three 
doses of the Life Pills, at 35 cents a box. 

The most severe and prolonged cases of Ague and Chills, and Malarial 
Fever are cured in 24 hours by the Ague Pills, at $1 per box. 

Quinine Lemon Pills, the best tonic, correcting acidity and 
strengthening the system, to be taken after the other Pills, 50 cents per 
box. 

The dangerous and very prevalent malady, Costiveness, the cause of 
Piles and almost every disease the body is subject to, the surest sign of an 
inactive and disordei'ed liver and impaired digestion, will be completely 
and effectually remedied by an occasional dose of the Life Pills. No 
medicine ever before discovered will.so surely cure Costiveness, Diarrhoea, 
Piles, and all complaints arising from Indigestion and Biliousness. 

IsTo Sportsman should be without a supply of these medicines as a 
part of his outfit on hunting trips, particularly in Malarial districts. It is 
the only remedy ever discovered that will cure Chills and Fever, how- 
ever severe, in one day. 

Instead of reducing the system by a succession of purgative doses, 
which weaken and inflame the bowels, as most so-called liver pills do, 
this medicine is so direct and immediate in its action upon the liver that 
the appetite is regained in a few hours. 

Mailed free for postal order or stamps to 

SAI^GAMOl^ PILLS CO., 

GWYNNE PRICE, MANAGER, 

RINKELVILLE, ST. LOUIS, MO. 




EXTRAORDINARY GLJSS BALL SHOOTIJVU, 

E.T.Martin Esq of Chicago, defeats Br. Alexander, hreak- 
ing 100 Glass Balls out of lOlin 7 minutes ^ ^J seconds 
witJia REMIJVGTOM $45,00 BREECH LOADER. 

Extract from Louisville Courier Journal October 4th 1878. 
'Yesterday closed the "Shooting Tournament" that has heen going on for several days at 
Eclipse Park, dviring which time, Exhihitious of Superior Skill httve been shown. 

The Contest between Dr. Alexander and E.T.MAJITIN was the event of the TOURNAMENT, 
the latter breaking 100 Balls out of 101 in 7 Minutes and 46 Seconds. Mr.Martin shot a UEMING- 
rON 12 gauge gun, loaded with 4 drachms of Powder and 1 & 1-8 ounces no, 9 chilled shot. He was 
loudly api^lauded on his Success. 

Louisville Ky. October 6th. 187fe 
Dear Sir, 

Please find score made by me with a REMINGTON $40.00 12 gauge Breech Loader, at shooting 
match with Dr. Alexander Oct. 4th. 1878. eighteen yards rise, time 7 minutes 46 seconds. 

Score— 1 loiiiiiiiimiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiii: 
iiiniiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiiiiiuiiii 

Very Respectfully 

E. T. Martin 
Dr. Alexanders score was 100 out of 114. Time 8 minutes 46 seconds. 







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